The top six foods to assist with healthy vision

Our eyesight is something we often take for granted, only realising how important it is once we experience issues with it or as our vision starts to deteriorate with age. What we put into our bodies really impacts on our health, eyesight included.

Here are the top 6 foods to assist with healthy vision:

1. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli and brussel sprouts contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are vital for our eye health and are found in high concentrations in the macula. As well as being rich in antioxidants and cancer-killing properties, carotenoids work to preserve this part of the eye.

2. Egg Yolks

Egg yolks are great for eye health as they are packed full of lutein. Lutein helps ward off macular degeneration which is currently the leading cause of blindness. Ensure the egg yolk is either raw or at least still runny, so as to not destroy the lutein (soft boiled or poached work best!).

3. Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants have a very high concentration of anthocyanins, a pigment that gives red, purple and blue plants their concentrated colour, and also have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, essential for the health of the eyes.

4. Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum)

Bell peppers or capsicums contain a very high concentration of vitamin C and one of the highest amounts of zeaxanthin found in any fruit or vegetable. Zeaxanthin can’t be made in our bodies, we must get it from our diet.

5. Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fat DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which is also found in concentration within our eyes. This fatty acid is essential for improving retinal function and preventing or slowing down macular degeneration.

6. CarrotsCarrots are rich in beta-carotene, a carotenoid pigment which is an essential precursor for vitamin A. Deficiencies in vitamin A are the leading causes of blindness in the developing world.