Since elementary, you were taught that carrots are great for optimal eye health, and there’s no question it is, along with orange-colored foods that can promote healthy eyes and protect eyesight, what Vitamin A from beta-carotene-rich food gives. Beta-carotene isn’t the only nutrient you need to take care of your eyes though, but also other vitamins and minerals, which these five foods for eye health contain.
- Green Tea
Aside from being a good relaxant for the senses, green tea is a healthy food for your eyes. Enjoy this delicious source of antioxidants that do not only protect your eyes, but also strengthens your immune system. It can protect your eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts, too.
Based on a recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, retina, a part of the eyes, which is light sensitive, has the highest concentration of catechins, a bioflavonoid found in green tea. This is great news because it simply means that this eye tissue is capable of absorbing antioxidants, which green tea is rich at. However, further studies have to be done regarding this matter because right now only data available are from lab tests conducted on mice.
Now if you don’t have green tea, some alternatives may be chocolate, red wine, apples and berries as well as black tea, although it has lower concentrations of catechins versus green tea.
- Strawberries
If you want to keep your eyes healthy, you should not also miss strawberries, which are great sources of vitamin C, an antioxidant. They can help you reduce your risks to eye disease, including cataracts. Without strawberries, you may also have other vitamin C rich foods, such as oranges, broccoli and bell peppers.
- Kale
A great source of lutein and zeaxanthin, kale is rich in both beta-carotene and vitamin A, protecting your eyes, especially from sun’s harmful UV rays and reducing your risk to macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Salmon
You can finally say goodbye to dry eyes by consuming salmon for at least twice a week. They are great sources of vitamins and minerals for healthy eyesight. In fact, this super food is also packed with vitamin D, which can help in protecting your eyes from macular degeneration.
- Sweet Potatoes
Known to be some of the most nutritious foods on the planet, sweet potatoes aren’t only loaded with nutrients you need to keep your immune system strong, but it is also perfect in improving and keeping eye health with their vitamin A content. They can also help prevent night blindness and dry eyes as well as eye infection. If you’re not a fan of sweet potatoes, you may also go for butternut squash or carrots.
There you have our top five best eye foods that you can depend on to achieve optimal eye health. Be sure to have them on your list the next time you hit the supermarket and keep not only your eyes but also your overall health at its top peak conditions. Perhaps, all these super foods are also rich in health-giving nutrients.
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