The Importance of Nutrition for Healthy Eyes

The foods you eat either have a positive or negative impact on your body. Living on processed or on-the-go food will eventually take its toll. However, the same applies if you eat meals at home that don’t offer nutritional value.

On the other hand, eating balanced meals gives your body the proper nutrition it needs. Not only does that help prevent health issues, but it also makes it easier for the body to fight existing problems. It’s important to note that the word “body” includes the eyes.

That’s right, food with little to no nutritional value will also affect the health of your eyes. So, it’s important to take good care of them. Pay attention to what you eat and drink to maintain healthy eyes.

Increased Risk of Developing Vision Problems

For optimal vision and eye health, you want to avoid any diet that consists of high fats. After all, food without the right kind of nutrition could put you in danger of developing several conditions.

High Levels of Sodium

Otherwise known as salt, diets that consist of high levels of sodium increase the risk of developing cataracts.

Diet Soda

Research findings indicated that consuming more than four cans or bottles of diet soda weekly puts people at risk for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Rather than moderate, it revealed a significant risk specific to this progressive retinal disease.

Refined Carbohydrates

Experts have also found that eating fewer refined carbohydrates reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Some of the worst things to avoid include pasta, white bread, and even homemade cookies and muffins. In addition, the refining process strips these high-processed grains of valuable nutrients and vitamins.

Low Water Intake

It’s also important to keep the body hydrated. If you don’t drink enough water daily, you can become dehydrated without even knowing. As a result, you could experience dry, itchy, and irritated eyes.

Proper Nutrition for Healthy Eyes

Now you know the things to avoid, but what about the foods you should eat to maintain healthy eyes? Here are some of the best options.

Vitamins

To dramatically reduce the risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and other conditions, be sure to take the right vitamins. Those include A, C, E, and zinc.

Nutritional Food

In addition, pay attention to the foods you introduce to your body. An excellent way to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear is to choose whole foods. Some examples include leafy greens with phytochemicals. In addition, citrus foods rich in antioxidants, such as grapefruit, lemons, and oranges, support healthy eyes.

Both zeaxanthin and lutein reduce the risks of vision problems. Certain plants with a yellowish to reddish hue produce these pigments. Known as carotenoids, they’re found in lettuce, broccoli, kale, spinach, and peas. So, adding more of these foods to your diet will help protect your eyes.

Eating legumes, nuts, and seeds also benefits the eyes. Things like cashews, lentils, walnuts, chia seeds, and hemp seeds are rich in both vitamin E and omega-3.

Essential Fatty Acids

Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet or take quality supplements. After all, several studies show they can potentially prevent proliferative retinopathies, which often lease to complete vision loss. Fish is an excellent source. Not only do these “good” fats fuel cells, but they also optimize the function of the central nervous system, which is vital for healthy retinas.

For more on the importance of nutrition for healthy eyes, visit Atlanta Eye Group at our offices in Alpharetta, Atlanta, and Kennesaw, Georgia. Please call 772-272-9470 to discuss any questions with our team of experts or to schedule an appointment today.