Our eyes are one of our main gateways to the world, yet few of us bother taking care of them until something goes wrong. If you’re looking to change that, eating more of these five vegetables will help give them a good fighting chance of staying healthier for longer.
Carrots: They won’t make you see in the dark and they won’t improve your vision per se, but the beta-carotene in them, which our bodies convert into vitamin A, will help promote healthy eyes.
Kale: This green, leafy veg has certainly come of age over the past few years, and that’s welcome news for our eyes. With their high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as zeaxanthin and lutein, kale leaves improve retinal health, decrease the harm caused by blue light, and even reduce the risk of cataracts.
Red Bell Peppers: Once again, this vegetable has high levels of vitamin A, which combined with the vitamin C that’s naturally found in them helps support eye health.
Pumpkin: Orange is the colour of the season when it comes to eyesight. Pumpkin, with its yellowy-orange hues, is rich in vitamins C and E, as well as beta-carotene, which is then converted into vitamin A. By including this veg in your food, you can help prevent age-related eye disease and maintain good vision.
Peas: Delicious and vibrant green, garden peas have zinc, vitamin C, and lutein, which reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Of course, you can’t just eat a handful of peas once a month to get the benefits. The trick is to regularly eat these vegetables on their own or as part of your meal to ensure a constant supply of the vitamins and minerals that are so beneficial to our eyes. Eating these also doesn’t mean that you can skip your next appointment with your eye doctor.
