Improved Vision Could Come With These Plant-Based Choices

We are all being encouraged to include extra fruit and veggies in our diet, making it more plant-based. Such changes could even improve the way you see the world, helping your eyes to see better. Improved optical health is one of the unexpected outcomes of a plant-based diet. Find out more about how the Vitamin A found in carrots, squash and spinach have been found to increase the eye's ability to perform in low light. And yes, especially when we always thought that the fact that carrots could help you see in the dark was a bit of a far-fetched tale! Listed below, you will find some of the best veggies to eat to help people of every age (including children) to maintain healthy vision.

Carrots

The vitamins found in carrots can help promote overall eye health. Carrots contain beta-carotene, a substance that the body converts to vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health.

Kale

Kale is rich in Vitamin E, helping to prevent age-related eye problems. Kale consumed in addition to other carotenoids-rich food (which have zeaxanthin in them) offer strong protection for your eyes.

Sprouts

Known as Brussels sprouts in some parts of the world, these sprouts contain carotenoids lutein and vitamin C, both rich in the key nutrients required for good eyesight. Also, Vitamin A is an antioxidant abundant in Brussels sprouts, helping to maintain the health of your corneas while lowering the risk of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The presence of Lutein and zeaxanthin are really important nutrients for eye health and may even act to prevent the development of cataracts. Brussels sprouts are considered by some to be a superfood because they are especially rich in nutrients that are vital for eye health.

Collard Greens

These contain Vitamin A and carotenoids lutein as well as zeaxanthin. These are instrumental is fighting any damage caused by dry eyes. There are 20 cartenoids found in human blood, but only lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the visual system. They are known to reduce disability from glare, enhance contrast and reduce photo stress recovery times.

Red peppers

Red bell peppers help support healthy night vision. Red bell peppers are high in vitamin A, which helps to support healthy eyesight, especially night vision. So when it comes to bell peppers, seeing red is a good thing! Red peppers are also rich in Vitamin C, helping those blood vessels around the eyes to stay healthy.

Squash

Squash contains plenty of Vitamin A, promoting good vision in low light. Summer squash contains high amounts of beta-carotene and lutein. Dietary lutein plays an important role in preventing the onset of cataracts and macular degeneration, which often leads to blindness. A cup of summer squash contains about 135 milligrams of beta carotene and 2400 micrograms of lutein. Carotenoids found in winter squash also reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

Spinach

Spinach contains plenty of Vitamin A and carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. This combination helps eyes to detect contrast more effectively. In the body, zeaxanthin is concentrated in the macula, an area in the center of the eye's retina. Along with another carotenoid known as lutein, zeaxanthin protects the macula from wavelengths of blue light that may damage the eye. Its function as an antioxidant may keep the eye's lens clear by preventing oxidation. Apart from general improved health, a balanced and healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.