We’ve all heard that carrots are great for our sight — but there’s a long list of other foods that can improve our eye health.
Of course, we know that maintaining our eyesight is important to our sense of wellbeing and ability to enjoy life, but for dietitian Maya Feller, R.D., eye care is “an indicator of internal health.”
She tells MindBodyGreen that certain health implications can be recognizable through the eyes.
Here’s an excerpt from the recent article: “Feller has seen blood vessels burst in the eyes of patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. While that conjures a pretty intense image, it’s interesting that our eyes have the ability to showcase what’s going on with our health.
She also notes that people who have diabetes have a significant amount of redness and yellowness in their eyes, which relates to their internal endocrine dysfunction. So, we should think of our eyes as our master communicators—they’re a great way to see (pun very much intended) into what’s going on underneath the surface.
That’s why, according to Feller, it’s important to keep our eyes sharp and healthy, starting with foods that provide essential eye-healthy nutrients and antioxidants.”
Apart from carrots, which contain a high level of vitamin A, Feller recommends loading up on antioxidant-rich foods that decrease the risk of macular degeneration. Some of the best include spinach, corn, and broccoli.
Leafy greens, such as kale and dandelion greens, are high in vitamin K, which is known for keeping arteries from clogging, but also has been shown to improve eye health.
Berries, or “antioxidant powerhouses,” are also great for reducing macular generation. Feller is partial to berries with the darkest colors, such as blueberries and blackberries.
