What are the best foods for eye health and vision?
What can you eat to improve eyesight naturally?
I am a strong believer that the food we eat can very much be a form of medicine, as many of the medications we have are often derived from naturally growing plants.
Here are some of the best foods for eye health! Did any of your favorites make the list?
Foods Rich in Vitamin A
Funny enough, the best foods for eye health are not carrots, but sweet potatoes! Both sweet potatoes and carrots are often regarded as the best foods for eye health because they have a large amount of vitamin A, though sweet potatoes have a little bit more. Vitamin A is excellent for helping with night vision and can even play a role in dry eyes.
Foods rich in vitamin A include:
-Sweet Potatoes
-Carrots
Green Leafy Vegetables
Next on the list for foods for eye health are green leafy vegetables!
Green leafy vegetables contain high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are caratonoids that play a vital role in the health of the macula. This is the central part of the retina which provides the sharp reading ability of eyesight as well as color perception. Lutein and Zeazanthin also play a role as natural blue light blockers and help with oxidative stress and inflammation which may occur within the retina.
Green leafy vegetables include:
-Kale
-Spinach
Fruits Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a critical antioxidant in our body, and is found in really high concentrations within the aqueous fluid within the eye. Vitamin C helps prevent free radical damage from the unhealthy parts of our daily lives such as food, daily habits, or environmental exposure. is constantly helping protect our eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration, so get your vitamin C!
Foods rich in vitamin C include:
-Oranges
-Tangerines
-Lemons
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids play a positive role in a diet for healthy eyes. Diets rich in omega 3s are linked to improvements in dry eye, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids include:
-Salmon
-Tuna
-Walnuts
Foods Rich in Vitamin E and Zinc
Finally, foods rich in vitamin E and zinc. Zinc plays an important role in helping convert vitamin A into melanin which is very protective against damage from sunlight and other sources. Additionally, it helps in the protection against cataracts, macular degeneration, and helping with low light situations. Vitamin E is also beneficial for the health of the eye and is in many foods.
Foods rich in vitamin E and zinc include:
-Beans
-Legumes
-Avocados
-Almonds
-Sunflower Seeds
Looking for more eye health tips? Here are 3 tips to improve your eye health.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should follow up with your local healthcare provider regarding all matters related to your health.