If you had to name one food that was good for your eyes, what would it be? If you said carrots, you are absolutely right! Carrots are loaded with a type of vitamin A known as beta-carotene that helps to promote a healthy retina while also helping to prevent night blindness. Carrots, however, are not the only healthy foods for your eyes.
15 Common Healthy Foods For Your Eyes:
- Berries
- Oranges
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Almonds
- Eggs
- Salmon
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Tuna
- Crab
- Sunflower Seeds
Vegetables
Multiple benefits to your eyes occur when you eat leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, kale, swiss chard, and collard greens. Not only are these leafy greens filled with beta-carotene and vitamin C, but also with lutein and zeaxanthin, two vitamins built to block harmful blue light. In fact, they are known to block up to 40-90% of it from your eyes. You can compare eating leafy greens to applying sunscreen to your eyeballs. In addition to protecting your eyes from blue light, the vitamins in leafy greens also provide an antioxidant that helps reduce the damage that cigarette smoke and air pollution can have on your eyes.
Fruits
The benefits of eating fruits are abundant! The vitamin C found in citrus fruits and berries help to reduce the risk of two of the leading causes of adult blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration. Some fruits can be profoundly beneficial. The blueberry, for example, can reduce the risks of cataracts as well as glaucoma, heart disease, and cancer.
Nuts
Nuts and seeds, however, contain vitamin E and Zinc and are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to be especially healthy for maintaining great eye health. The vitamin C found in fruits is nicely paired with the vitamin E to be an effective combo in maintaining healthy tissue in the body.
Proteins
Proteins, including various seafoods , red meats, and eggs, are known to have their benefits for the eyes. The zinc and omega-3 fatty acids found in these types of proteins provide protections against dry eye, cataracts, macular degeneration and enhance the health of the retina.
We care about you! Next time you are trying to decide what to eat, remember the healthy benefits these foods provide your eyes. We want you to be seeing the very best you can and are here to help. Call us if you have questions about the health of your eyes. Dr. Smith loves educating his patients! 435. 359.2020
The content found on this blog is for information purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of professional medical advice from your eye care provider. Always seek treatment from a qualified health care provider with all your eye health and medical questions regarding your health.