Super Foods for Eyesight
Many foods are so jam-packed with good nutrients that they earned the name "super foods" and are purported to have healing qualities to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Many of these super foods also have qualities that improve eyesight or reduce the possibility of eye-related diseases. Consume these foods daily to give your eyesight a healthy boost and ward off potential eye diseases.
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Beta-Carotene
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Beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A that is antioxidant rich. Beta-carotene aids in improving overall vision and is easy to incorporate into your daily diet. Most people know you find beta-carotene in carrots, but some of the other super foods that contain beta-carotene are apricots, cantaloupe, mangoes, red peppers, and yellow peppers.
Lutein
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Lutein helps keep eyesight sharp and hinders macular degeneration, according to HealthMad.com. Super foods rich in lutein include spinach, kale, collards, kiwi, broccoli, corn, citrus, brussels sprouts, and egg yolks.
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Zeaxanthin
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Zeaxanthin is another antioxidant with properties to protect your eyes. Super foods containing zeaxanthin include spinach, broccoli, and collard greens.
Vitamin E
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Vitamin E supplements can reduce the risk of cataracts by as much as 50% according to Cy Live (see References below). Many foods contain vitamin E including the following super foods: wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, peanuts, corn oil, spinach, broccoli, kiwi and mangos.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
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Omega 3 fatty acids may potentially slow down the causes of macular degeneration since part of their function is to improve brain activities---including eye functions. Omega 3 fatty acids also aid in unclogging arteries and, consequently, helping blood to flow freer within the brain area. Super foods high in omega 3 fatty acids are fish, specifically mackerel and tuna, and nuts such as walnuts.
Bilberries
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Bilberries contain vitamins A and C, antioxidants which support overall eye health by preventing free radical damage. This super food is particularly helpful with improving night blindness. According to AnEverBetterWorld.com, bilberries were given to pilots during World War II just before they flew missions at night. Bilberry supports the circulation of retinal purple, a substance needed for good eyesight.
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