Beyond carrots, numerous fruits and vegetables contribute to eye health by mitigating the risk of common age-related eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration, prevalent among older adults in the United States.
Cataracts, characterized by the gradual clouding of the eye's lens, impede vision by obstructing light passage onto the retina. Similarly, macular degeneration, marked by damage to the macula—the retina's central portion—initially manifests as a blurred central spot in one's field of vision, progressively shrinking vision over time.
The damage leading to these conditions is often caused by free radicals, which originate from various sources including sunlight, smoke, pollution, infections, and metabolic processes.
However, certain fruits and vegetables, particularly dark green leafy varieties, offer protection through their rich content of lutein and zeaxanthin—pigments known to accumulate in the eye and neutralize free radicals before they harm sensitive ocular tissues.
Recent studies further reinforce the importance of a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts or macular degeneration, highlighting the significant role nutrition plays in preserving lifelong visual health.
Fruits and Vegetables: Protecting Your Eyesight with Nutrition
