In many ways the saying by Hippocrates is true today: "Let thy food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food." This principle can be applied to your eye health. No vision improvement program is complete without the proper nutritional foundation to support better eye health. So, if your taste buds are craving a break from traditional foods good for eyes, here are some foods you never knew that can improve and promote better eyesight.
Beets: When it comes to eye health foods, Beets are good for your eyes as they consist of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, beneficial nutrients that promote the health of the macular and the retina of the eyes. Due to its content in Nitrates, Beets can open up the blood vessels in the eyes and also increase the blood flow to the brain, a good way to prevent cognitive disorders. More importantly, this vegetable is popular for its blood pressure lowering properties. This is significant due to the fact that there is a connection between normal pressure and better eyesight, as high blood pressure has a negative impact on eye health.
According to Troy Bedinghaus, OD of about.com, "Hypertensive retinopathy is a disease of the retina and the retinal blood vessels that occurs because of uncontrolled blood pressure. can be starved for Oxygen or the retina can begin to take on fluid. These changes can reduce vision. "
According to a study published by both the British Heart Foundation and the Journal of the American Heart Association, participants that drank a cup of Beet Juice a day saw a 7 percent reduction in their blood pressure. Therefore, Beet Juice can lower blood pressure while simultaneously promoting better eyesight. Beets also consist of Vitamin A, B 1, B 2, B 6, and C in addition to Lutein and Zeaxanthin, important vitamins and antioxidants that aid in the prevention of Macular Degeneration and Cataracts.
Tuna: Another food for eye health is Tuna. According to Web MD, eating Tuna may reduce the risk of developing Dry Eye Syndrome specifically in women. A woman's health study involving 40,000 female professionals from ages 45-84, conducted by a woman's hospital researcher, revealed that women who ate Tuna had a lower incidence of Dry Eye Syndrome. Scientific data suggests that that the Omega-3 Fatty acid content in Tuna may have been a contributing factor. The study revealed that the women who consumed 2-4 servings of tuna per week had a 19% lower risk of Dry Eye Syndrome while those who ate 5-6 servings of Tuna reported a 68% lower risk of dry eye syndrome.
Pomegranates: Among the foods good for eye health Pomegranates is an example of such a food.This fruit is essential for eye health due to its Vitamin A content which is a form of Beta-Carotene. Pomegranates are also a cure for night blindness. It's highly beneficial to eye health due to the fact that is consists of a substance called Rhodopsin in the eyes that improves eyesight. Pomegranates have a high concentration of Polyphenols, powerful antioxidants good for eyes such as Vitamin A, C, E and K. These antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body and clinical research suggests that they increase blood flow to the heart and thin the blood which contributions to reduced blood pressure and plaque in the treaties. You can have Pomegranate fruit as a morning treat, afternoon snack, and late night treat, or you can buy the Pomegranate juice available at your neighborhood supermarket.
Nutrition is an integral part of promoting eye health. Super foods such as Pomegranates, Beets and Tuna supply the eyes with a wide variety of essential antioxidants and vitamins. These foods are important nutritional allies. They help us build a better foundation for healthy eyesight and also prevent vision disorders. Therefore, when it comes to protecting eyesight, take care of your eyes with the right nutrition, and according to Hippocrates, let your food be strong nutritional medicine for your eyes.
