Foods that promote good vision

A healthy diet is perhaps even more beneficial than people realize. Though it's widely known a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat can help people maintain a healthy weight, various nutritious foods also promote strong vision. The vision-related benefits of various foods is notable, particularly for adults. While vision loss is often considered a natural part of aging, the National Eye Institute notes it doesn't have to be. Various nutrients help to maintain eye health, and that can make adults less vulnerable to the vision loss many accept as part of the aging process. Individuals who are intrigued by the role nutrients can play in promoting healthy eyes can consider these foods. · Carrots: The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes carrots are rich in vitamin A, which has long been linked to healthy eyes. The retina utilizes vitamin A to turn light rays into images. Vitamin A also helps to keep eyes moist, which can help individuals avoid the uncomfortable condition known as dry eye. · Sweet potatoes: Carrots are more accessible than sweet potatoes since the former can be eaten raw whereas the latter must be cooked. However, the AAO notes sweet potatoes are an even better source of vitamin A than carrots. Sweet potatoes may gain extra attention in fall, particularly during Thanksgiving season, but they're available and enjoyable year-round. · Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe is a juicy fruit that many people find particularly refreshing during summer. WebMD notes that cantaloupe is rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A, a conversion that promotes healthy eyes. · Oranges: Vitamin A is not the lone vitamin that promotes healthy eyes. The antioxidant vitamin C can protect against environmental factors that can harm the eyes, including the sun's rays. In addition, the AAO notes that the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study found that antioxidants such as vitamin C can prevent or delay the onset of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. The AAO reports that additional sources of vitamin C include peaches, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries. · Leafy green vegetables: Kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, collards, turnip greens, and broccoli all contain useful amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. That's notable because these antioxidants, according to the AAO, are essential to protecting a part of the eye known as the macula, which provides central, detailed vision. · Beans: Beans such as black-eyed peas, kidney beans and lima beans are legumes, which contain both zinc and copper. The AAO notes zinc is important for eye health because it helps to maintain a healthy retina and may protect the eyes from some damaging effects of light, including cataracts and sunburn. But zinc also can reduce the amount of copper in the body, which is necessary to form red blood cells. That's what makes legumes such as beans so beneficial: they provide eye-healthy zinc and help to maintain copper levels. A healthy diet benefits the body in various ways, including promoting long-term eye health.