7 Healthy Foods That Are Beneficial for Your Eye Health
Food is the fuel that keeps us alive; as the saying goes, we are what we eat. But it’s not just any food since a poor diet will open the door to a myriad of health issues. You cannot expect to get everything the body needs with a steady diet of junk food. A well-balanced, healthy diet will help maintain your overall health and eye health. So, do you eat food that looks amazing or the one that is good for your eyes?
Our optometrist in Castle Rock recommends that in your quest to eat healthy foods, consider looking for foods that maintain healthy eyes and vision. Therefore, you might need to incorporate foods with antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E, zinc, beta-carotene, and omega-3-fatty acids.
These nutrients are essential in keeping certain eye issues such as cataracts, dry eyes, poor night vision, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration at bay.
7 Healthy Foods that are Beneficial for Eye Health
Without further ado, let’s check out the foods that promote eye health:
1. Eggs
Eggs are fantastic for your eyes since the yolk contains the most necessary vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin A, lutein, zinc, and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A is good for your eye health since it protects your cornea and the eye’s surface.
Zeaxanthin and lutein decrease the chances of developing severe eye conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Zinc is another nutrient available in eggs that contributes to the retina’s health. It plays a vital role in night vision.
In other words, regular consumption of eggs leads to higher levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, vitamin A and zinc to optimize and maintain eyesight. Eggs are versatile, so you can have them any time of day that suits you.
2. Carrots
Carrots should be the most common vegetable and are synonymous with eye health. Just like eggs, carrots are rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A. These two components are amazing for your eye health since they nourish the eye’s surface. They also protect the eye from infection and some severe eye conditions.
The beauty about carrots is that you can eat them on the go, cook them, toss them in salads and soups or shred them.
3. Fish
Fish is another type of food that is good for your eye health. One of the important nutrients that fish have is omega-3 fatty acids. These are what are known as “healthy” fats. The fatty acids are essential to visual development and retina health.
You might also suffer from inadequate tear production, which you may attribute solely to the lack of water. However, the eye also has mucus and oil components, so when you miss these essential fatty acids such as omega-3, you may develop dry eyes.
Therefore, increase your fish intake to about three times a week to get the most out of this superfood.
4. Dark Leafy Greens
Spinach and kale are fantastic examples of dark leafy greens that are top sources of zeaxanthin and lutein. These two carotenoids help protect the retina. They are also excellent antioxidants that absorb some blue light, helping to keep free radicals from damaging the eyes.
Moreover, taking these vegetables slows age-related macular degeneration and can even halt cataract progression. Just by eating vegetables, you might not need to seek treatment from our Castle Rock eye doctor. So, go crazy and fill your plate with these vegetables!
5. Dairy
Dairy products are also vital for eye health since they contain zinc and Vitamin A. Vitamin A protects the eye, whereas zinc aids in bringing the vitamin from the liver to the eye. Zinc helps protect the eye from getting cataracts. Also, it is widely available in the retina and helps with night vision.
So, you can go ahead and grab a glass of milk or enjoy some yogurt. In any case, add some dairy products to your diet.
6. Oranges
Oranges and other fruit with vitamin C are good for your eye health. Vitamin C combats the development of cataracts in the eye and age-related macular degeneration when combined with other vitamins. Moreover, vitamin C contributes to the health of blood vessels in your eye.
7. Almonds
Almonds and other nuts contain a high level of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. It protects cells throughout the body, including your eyes, by neutralizing free radicals.
Visit an Eye Clinic Near You
Eating does so much for your overall health and your eye health. If you have any questions, you can contact our eye clinic near you, Founders Eyecare.