Our eyes are our windows to the world; they allow us to watch movies, sunsets, and the faces of our loved ones. They also play a vital role in helping us navigate the world--our eyes can prevent us from getting into car accidents and injuries from falls. And since April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, we are educating ourselves about the best foods for eye health.
Food is a powerful tool that can be used to boost kidney function, build stronger, healthier bones and even improve cognitive function. So it’s no surprise that managing your nutrition for eye health can have a positive impact. Here are the top five foods to integrate into your diet to improve your overall eye health:
1. Kale and Spinach
These greens pack a big punch of nutrition for eye health. Just one cup of kale and/or spinach contains 20 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin, two super vitamins for eye health. Both lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that have been proven to lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, which, according to the American Optometric Association, are the “leading causes of visual impairment and acquired blindness in the U.S.”
2. Eggs
Egg yolks are also a great source of lutein and zeaxanthin, but eggs have the added benefits of extra vitamins for eye health: Vitamin A and Zinc. Vitamin A has been connected to the prevention of night blindness and dry eyes and Zinc actually aids Vitamin A in producing a pigment called melanin, which protects your eyes as you age.
3. Grapefruit and Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C is present in grapefruits, oranges and lemons, and is responsible for helping to minimize the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. In juice form, you can take in 124 milligrams of Vitamin C with one glass of orange juice and 94 milligrams for grapefruit juice. Starting your day right, with a healthy breakfast and a glass of citrus juice can help preserve your vision as you age.
4. Nuts
Aside from being a great, heart-healthy snack, nuts are also one of the best foods for eye health. In particular, peanuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds and almonds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, which protect the cells in our eyes from free-radicals, which can cause macular degeneration over time. Just a handful of any of these delicious nuts can provide you with a daily dose of vitamins for eye health.
5. Carrots, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato
If you’ve noticed that carrots, pumpkin and sweet potato are all orange-colored vegetables, that’s not a coincidence. The beta-carotene in all three of these veggies convert into Vitamin A, which helps to improve your night time vision. If you still drive at night, we recommend loading up on beta-carotene to help ensure your safety on the road!
Preparing For Accidents
Eating all of the best foods for eye health is a great way to take preventative measures when it comes to your health. But even when your eyes are in tip-top shape, there’s no guarantee that you won’t trip and fall, which happens to one in four of people over the age of 65, and causes serious injury to one in five.
Having a medical alert system from Medical Guardian on hand can’t prevent a fall from happening, but it can mitigate the damage once the fall has occurred. By providing you with a swift response and near-immediate medical attention, a medical alert system can help you stay healthier, longer.
