Many agree that the sense of sight is one of the most important senses of human beings. Without it, you cannot witness the beauty of the world and be less productive. Unfortunately, most people tend to overlook having healthy eyesight. According to Reader’s Digest, there are more than 25 million people that are affected by macular degeneration and cataracts. These two are the leading causes of blindness in people over the age of 55 said the American Optometric Association.
Giving your eyes the proper nutrients can help reduce the risks of getting age-related eye disorders and improve your overall eyesight. However, not many people are well-informed about the proper nutrients to have good vision. Hence, in this article, we’ve compiled tips that actually work to achieve healthy eyes.
You can naturally improve your eyesight with the following foods:
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Kale
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important nutrients for healthy eyes, and kale is one of the green leafy vegetables that contain these two nutrients. Furthermore, it is a good source of beta-carotene and is rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants and vitamins. You can mix kale in your vegetable salads or make it as a side dish. You also have the option to blend these into smoothies or even bake the leaves to make them as chips.
In addition, green leafy vegetables including kale also help reduce the risk of glaucoma. A study conducted by Jae Kang found out that eating green leafy vegetables can lower the risk of glaucoma by 20 to 30 percent.
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Red Pepper
Speaking of lutein-rich foods; red pepper is also an excellent source of lutein. If you think red peppers are nothing but a food spice, then you got it all wrong. It is actually rich in nutrients and vitamins such as Vitamin C which is also good for your eyesight.
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Fish
What’s with the fish that improves our eyesight? Well, fish has essential fatty acids which are good for the body and to your eyes. Fish like salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which keep our eyes from being dry and sore.
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Carrots
Have you ever wondered why yellow and orange-colored vegetables like carrots are usually recommended for good eyesight? This is carrots are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A which help the retina in our eyes functions efficiently.
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Nuts and Seeds
Another vitamin that is essential to have healthy eyes is vitamin E, and it is usually found in foods like nuts and seeds. These foods are rich in vitamin E that protects the cells in your eyes. Examples of these are sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, and even peanut butter. -
Whole grains
Whole grains are an excellent addition to your diet to achieve good eyesight and overall health. Regularly eating whole grains can gradually lower blood sugar in your system. A spike in blood sugar is harmful to your eyes’ health as it can damage the eyes’ retina in the long run.
Knowing and eating the proper types of food is one of the many steps to achieving healthy eyesight. In the end, it all boils down to what you are eating. Other ways include taking an eye test annually to consistently check the status of your eyes and practicing a healthy lifestyle to safeguard your eyes.
