Eating healthy contributes to healthy living, and enables you to live a fulfilling, balanced life. Fortunately, the same diet that contributes to the effective functioning of your heart and the rest of your body also helps your eyes.
Vision loss is becoming common amongst women over 40. While there are several reasons for this, one critical factor is diet.
Organs like our eyes, heart, digestive system and endocrinal system all rely on nutrients from our food to repair themselves from age and injury. The good news is that it can be prevented as you grow old if you start now to eat meals that contribute to improving deteriorating eyesight.
Leafy greens
Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants protect the eyes from harmful blue light, which can cause age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Eating a serving of leafy greens each day can provide a significant boost to your eye health.
Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help prevent dry eyes, cataracts, and macular degeneration. If you are not a fan of fish, you can also try fish oil supplements.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds are rich in vitamin E, which helps protect the eyes from age-related damage. Additionally, they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. This nutrient helps maintain good eyesight and prevents night blindness. However, you do not need to eat only carrots. Other vegetables such as sweet potatoes and broccoli are also rich in beta-carotene.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C. This nutrient helps prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Additionally, it also helps the body absorb other eye-healthy nutrients such as vitamin E.
In conclusion, the food you eat plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy eyesight and may be helpful in slowing the progression of cataracts. Incorporating leafy greens, fish, nuts and seeds, carrots, and citrus fruits into your diet can provide a significant boost to your eye health.
