Mediterranean foods are good for your heart, and a little agave nectar doesn’t hurt your libido. But what about our eyes? With help from the American Optometric Association and the California Optometric Association, we’ve gathered the following go-to foods for eye health. Kale and spinach: Just one cup of either of these cooked veggies is packed with more than 20 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin—two nutrients that do wonders for your eyes. These nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Other sources include collards, turnip greens, corn, green peas, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and green beans If you’re not a fan of leafy-greens: Luckily, eggs and oranges are also a decent source of lutein and zeaxanthin. So expect a thank you from your eyes after every eggs-and-OJ breakfast. Yes, vitamin C gets a lot of love as an immune system juggernaut, but did you know it’s also been shown to help minimize the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration? With one cup of orange juice, you can claim up to 124 milligrams of vitamin C. Grapefruit juice packs about 94 milligrams. What pops into our heads when vitamin C is mentioned? Images of big, juicy oranges, probably, and their citrus brethren. However, plenty of other foods pack loads of vitamin C, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, leafy greens, and many more. Throw them all in a stir-fry and cheers to eye health. Vitamin E protects the cells in our eyes from free radicals and slows the progression of cataracts and age-related macular generation. Eat just one ounce of sunflower seeds or almonds, and you’ll earn more than a third of the daily value of vitamin E. Wheat germ, hazelnuts, and peanut butter also pack plenty of the vitamin. Essential fatty acids do your whole body good, including your eyes, by helping with visual development, retinal function, and possibly protecting against dry eye. Fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and anchovy are typically the best way to load up on essential fatty acids. Without enough zinc, our eyes can suffer from poor night vision and possibly cataracts. Oysters, liver, red meat, poultry, milk, shellfish, baked beans, and whole grains are valuable sources of zinc. Whew, we mentioned carrots! Yes, these veggies help your eyes by supplying beta-carotene, which strengthens night vision. But as these slides have shown, you don’t need to have a bunny-like appetite to treat your eyes.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:04:08 +0000
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