What foods are good for my vision?
There is no question that our eyes are one of our most important assets and we will do whatever we can to protect them and keep them functioning at their peak. Have you often wondered what foods are good for your eyes, if any? Well, come to find out, there are several foods that are good for your vision (and your overall health), and can help keep your eyes sharp.
*Salmon: This tasty fish is high in omega 3 fatty acids and is packed full of vitamins A and D – all things that are good for brain and eye health.
*Garlic: Yummy! Garlic not only flavors our food but has numerous health benefits. It is rich in sulfur, which is important for keeping your eye lenses strong.
*Broccoli: Raw or steamed, this tasty vegetable has the antioxidant sulforaphane. Johns Hopkins University researchers found that this antioxidant helped protect human retinal cells from oxidizing free radicals for several days [1]. In addition, leafy green vegetables also play an important role in eye health, so be sure to keep these added into your diet on a daily basis.
*Eggs: The traditional breakfast item, eggs can be served in lots of ways to make your diet varied and tasty each day. Egg yolks primarily have lots of nutrients, including lutein, which has shown in numerous studies to help fight against the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
*Carrots: As the old saying goes, eat your carrots; they are good for your eyes. In a recent study, scientists in Europe found that high intake of carotenoids in carrots helped preserve macular pigments and helped slow the progression from early to late stage macular degeneration. [3]
Other foods you can mix into your diet to help maintain healthy eyes include blueberries, kidney beans, nuts, papaya, kale, grapes, and onions. There are so many delicious recipes out there that incorporate these ingredients. So eat up! Indulge, and keep your eyes healthy in the process.
[1] The Six Foods That are Best at Helping You Get and Keep Healthy Vision. SixWise.com. Accessed on the Web November 15, 2009. http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/08/04/30/The-Six-Foods-That-are-Best-at-Helping-You-Get-and-Keep-Healthy-Vision.htm
[2] Six Foods that Improve Your Vision. LocateADoc.com. Accessed on the Web November 15, 2009. http://www.locateadoc.com/articles/six-foods-that-improve-your-vision-1599.html
[3] Carrots help boost vision. Thewomenissue.com. Accessed on the Web November 15, 2009. http://thewomenissue.blogspot.com/2009/07/carrots-help-boost-vision.html
