Food is fundamental for all aspects of health, including vision. Thus, the best products to avoid cataracts or other pathologies related to eye health are orange colored foods, such as carrots, which contain important doses of carotenoids and vitamin A.
In this sense, an unhealthy and unbalanced diet can cause an acceleration in the development of eye diseases, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
Thus, it is essential to incorporate foods rich in nutrients and with important antioxidants into the diet. Fruits and vegetables are the most beneficial food groups for eye health.
Foods beneficial for eye health
As mentioned above, one of the most influential factors in eye health is diet. By performing an according nutrition we could prevent or reduce the chances of developing different eye-related health conditions.
The following are the seven most beneficial foods for eye health, based on the components they contain:
- Carrots: These fruits are a source of vitamin A, one of the most important vitamins to preserve the health of life. They reduce the risk of cataracts and also minimize the chances of cardiovascular diseases. They are also rich in carotenoids, a nutritional element of great importance for vision.
- Onions: Onions are another great food for vision health, all thanks to their important properties, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and quercetin. This last micronutrient is vital for preventing cataracts, especially in people with diabetes. In addition, it also stimulates the production of essential pigments to prevent retinal problems.
- Broccoli: Rich in vitamin C, fiber and water, it is an ideal food to protect eyesight from the sun. Scientific studies have shown that daily consumption of this vegetable increases the density of macular pigment in the eye by 30%.
- Spinach: It is another green leafy vegetable with great protection for vision, especially against sunlight. It also prevents the appearance of cataracts due to essential micronutrients such as lutein and zeaxatin. It is a fruit rich in carotenoids.
More foods beneficial for vision
In addition to the foods described above, we also find blueberries. It is a fruit that helps to increase visual ability, but also prevents urinary incontinence and the prevention of kidney stones.
One of the virtues of blueberries is their high content of flavonoids. This type of antioxidant prevents the accumulation of free radicals, which cause the aging of eye cells and internal eye lesions. Other red fruits such as blackberry, grape or raspberry also offer similar effects.
On the other hand, it is time to talk about peppers. It is a fruit source of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B6; in addition to other antioxidants such as zeaxetin, lutein, lycopene or beta-carotene. All these micronutrients are perfect for preventing vision problems, such as macular degeneration or cataracts.
Finally, an ideal food for vision health is macadamia nuts, a nut with Omega-3 fatty acids. This is a type of micronutrient that helps strengthen the nervous system. In addition, this food contains vitamin E and selenium, both of which have great benefits for vision.
