Growing up, we have all been told ‘eat your carrots,’ but what other top foods and nutrients should we be looking for? What’s in a carrot specifically that makes it so great? Let’s break down why carrots and other foods can benefit our vision and how they help us in the long term.
1- Carrots
Carrots contain Vitamin A and beta carotene that help the surface of the eye and can also help prevent eye infections and other serious eye conditions in the long term. According to Dias, J.S. (2014), “A deficiency in vitamin A can cause eye’s photoreceptors to deteriorate, which leads to vision problems. β- carotene (the carotenoid with the most provitamin A activity) in carrots helps to protect vision, especially night vision.”
2- Salmon
Salmon is packed with omega-3 Fatty Acids that can help promote visual health of the retina and prevent dry eyes. Try to look in the grocery store for wild-caught or organic options if available.
3- Red Peppers
Red Peppers contain Vitamin A, which is great for overall skin health. Science suggests that it could lower your risk of getting cataracts.
4- Greens
Arnarson, A. (2019) suggests that “Various amounts of spinach, kale, and parsley contain Lutein and zeaxanthin.” These nutrients are helpful with preventing Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), specifically within its late stage. Arnarson, A. (2019) continues to state: “egg yolks, sweet corn, and red grapes may also be high with these nutrients,” and we should be looking into them as well.
By making constant healthy decisions over time, it can lead to an overall healthier version of oneself, thus saving various medical bills down the road. With a combination of consistent exercise and eating a healthy diet, you should be on the right track for any type of progress.
Author:
Nick is a proud Bay Area native who grew up in the small ocean town known as Pacifica. He received his Bachelors’s in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise and Movement Sciences from San Francisco State University. With an interest in Corporate Health Care wellbeing, Nick has been teaching clients at top tech companies ranging from LinkedIn, Google, and C3.Ai, to name a few. With each new client Nick teaches, his goal is to have them not only become healthier versions of themselves but to teach them why in the process. In his free time, you can find Nick at a local pickup soccer game or making his way to the Giants game if they are in town.
Citations:
Arnarson, A. (2019, February 15). 8 nutrients that will optimize your eye health. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-nutrients-for-eyes
Dias, J. C. da S. (2014, December 1). Nutritional and health benefits of carrots and their seed extracts. Food and Nutrition Sciences. https://www.scirp.org/html/5-2701422_52066.htm?crsi=662496660&cicada_org_src=healthwebmagazine.com&cicada_org_mdm=direct
