Does what we eat affect our eye health? actually yes! There are several studies that demonstrate how eating certain healthy foods can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Eating the right food is the best way to maintain good eye health and improve our eyesight. But, there are certain kinds of foods that are not so positive or good for our eyes.
Learn here how food affects our visual health, what foods are good for eye health and eyesight, and what are the worst foods for our eyes?
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| Foods for eye health |
How Does Your Diet Impact Visual Health & Eyesight?
Whatever we eat directly affects our bodies and how we really feel. Thus, it becomes really important to have a balanced diet to stay healthy. The word food and vision are interrelated and with a few changes in your eating habits, you can keep your eyesight in healthy conditions for a longer period of time. We clarify that good nutrition means prevention and not a solution to diagnosed eye-related problems.
The main ocular pathologies have their greatest ally in prevention, for this, it is also necessary to know which kind of foods will help us maintain fine visual health.
A diet without the required nutrients can harm visual health, giving birth to various problems like photophobia and, in the long term, the increased deterioration due to General pathologies such as diabetes.
The symptoms that cause the scarcity of vitamins and nutrients in our eyes are developed at a very slow pace, so at first, we are not acknowledged. But if you are of a very conscious nature and have a healthy mindset, you will eventually be able to achieve a satisfactory quality of vision over the year.
To ensure optimum nutrition, the body demands vitamins and minerals on a regular basis. But most of the time certain bad eating habits or any kind of stress mean that we cannot eat them daily. We address all of the healthy foods below. Here are some useful tips that will not only help to preserve visual health but will also maintain your eyesight in a better condition for longer.
Read Here: Healthy and Unhealthy Foods.
What habits and foods should be avoided for the eyes?
There is a relationship between good nutrition and eyesight, which is a reality. But, there is also another reality that there are certain kinds of foods that are not so positive or good for our eyes.
For this reason, it is important for us to know what foods and habits are harming our vision and should look for healthier alternatives that can help in preserving visual health.
Bad diet for our vision
Keeping yourself away from snacks, sweets or chocolates between meals will ultimately prevent your visual capacity from being harmed. Additionally, overconsuming saturated fats and sugars can blog the veins and arteries, and cause serious cardiovascular and eye diseases.
Negative effects of some medications
There are a number of harmful medications present out there in the market that can seriously affect our vision. Self-medication can cause serious eye disorders that until now we did not know existed. The intake of acetylsalicylic acid increases the chances of eye degeneration.
Excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco
Consuming alcohol means harm to our health and eyes.
Also, tobacco smoke causes discomfort in our eyes causing our retina to degenerate and suffer numerous damages. Diseases such as glaucoma, eye degeneration or cataract are the problems that mostly occur because of smoking.
Tobacco can be more harmful to passive smokers than active smokers as they receive smoke directly from it.
Good foods for the eyes
There are some foods that are very good for our vision and to which we must give priority in our diet.
A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and carotenoid and flavonoid substances will be very good for our eyesight. The foods that are good for the eyes are discussed below.
Vitamins
There are several vitamins that can help your eyes to have a better health:
Vitamin A
Promotes night vision and thinning of the cornea. Vitamin A is present in some foods like dairy products and vegetables. This vitamin consists of beta carotene which is transformed into carotene which is a very essential ingredient for eye health. This is mostly found in types of foods that look orange, reddish, or yellowish.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B helps in preventing various diseases such as macular degeneration through folic acid, pyridoxine and vitamin B12. It is highly present in foods such as nuts, whole grains and in certain supplements like brewer's yeast.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the vital vitamins for our eyes. Vitamin C helps greatly in the consumption of vitamins A and E. It is present in citrus foods.
Vitamin E
This vitamin promotes good health and eyesight, as it protects cells from oxidation by protecting fatty acids. Prevents cataracts by neutralizing free radicals.
On the other side, vitamin C, B6, D and omega 3 are really mandatory for maintaining great health, and the scarcity of these can be caused due to the alterations of age-related problems like macular degeneration.
Antioxidants and minerals
- There are other compounds that also favor visual capacity. It is minerals such as zinc that protects from free radicals. We can find it in certain kinds of foods such as red meat, chicken, turkey, liver, oatmeal, hazel nuts, and almonds.
- Essential fatty acids also support cell regeneration in our body. Omega 3 and 6 groups contain fatty acids and prevent cell degeneration. Among its properties is having anti-inflammatory effects. They are mostly found in oily fish and in pumpkin seeds.
- Anthocyanins help in the restoration of nerve cells in the retina. They are mainly present in plums or blueberries.
In addition to these suggested points, take best care of your eyes by visiting an ophthalmological center.
Read More: 20 Best Foods for Eye Health and Eyesight Improvement
What can you eat for dry eyes?
Dry eye is one of the very common deformities that occur itself with age. Thus, for this disease, it is suggested to follow a healthy diet to prevent it as long as possible.
Together with all the healthy and nutritious foods discussed above for good eyesight, there are also some other valuable tips should be followed.
There are some crucial foods which are mentioned in the previous paragraph that are important more than others in order to oppose dry eye disease:
Foods rich in Omega 3
The vital foods rich in Omega 3 are: fish like salmon, tuna, herring, etc.; dried fruits like walnuts; seeds such as flax; olive oil; dark green leafy vegetables like spinach. Eating fish may help promote eye health and improve eyesight.
Essential vitamins
The most important vitamins for your eyes are B, C, and E. Among its most outstanding foods to prevent dry eye are:
- Foods that are rich in vitamin C: citrus fruits, red fruits, broccoli, mustard, and sweet red peppers.
- Vital foods highly rich in vitamin E: vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, and nuts.
- Foods rich in Vitamin B : egg yolk, legumes, pumpkin seeds etc.
Drink healthy fluids
Drinking enough water not only keeps us hydrated but also creates enough tears in our eyes to face visual dryness.
In addition to foods that are good for your eyes, also consider additional products such as eye drops that help you form a moist layer for longer. Remember to visit an ophthalmologist if your problems persist.
Diet and Eye health
Eating a balanced Mediterranean diet could be the best way to keep your body organs healthier and, especially, your eyesight, which is greatly affected by a poor diet.
Several studies confirm that a plant-based diet and seafood can help in reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration and heart disease.
The Mediterranean diet includes:
- Green vegetables
- Nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts
- Seafood
- Healthy fats Use olive oil when cooking
- Whole-grain bread, cereals and pasta
- Moderate consumption of dairy and eggs
Just maintaining a good and proper diet will assure you about adequate consumption of nutrients and vitamins so that your body gets the needed nutrients which are really required to keep your body organs in a better condition.
When faced with any illness or discomfort in your eyes, you should immediately go to the ophthalmologist to examine your situation and suggest the appropriate treatment.