A few hundred years ago, carrots were used as eye drops. Can you believe it? They were even called “eye apples” because of how effective they were. There are many such health myths, so how do know what to believe?
While most people know that carrots are great for your heart, there is still that age-old question of whether are carrots good for your eyes. Read on to find out.
How Are Carrots Good For Your Eyes?
Carrots have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. In the Middle Ages, they were thought to be an aphrodisiac and a cure for many ailments. And apparently, the ancient Greeks thought that eating carrots would make you smarter.
In the 1800s, doctors began recommending carrot juice as a treatment for cataracts. It was also recommended as a preventative measure against glaucoma.
Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which is linked with maintaining healthy eyes. Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision as it helps keep your eyes moist and lubricated. It also protects your eyes from damage caused by ultraviolet light.
Carrots also contain beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and other antioxidants that protect the eyes from free radicals and prevent macular degeneration. Macular degeneration can cause blurred vision, loss of central vision, and eventually blindness.
What Are Other Health Benefits Of Carrots?
Carrots are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, folate, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, and vitamins B6, C, E, K, and thiamine.
And since carrots are also low in calories, they’re a great vegetable to incorporate into your diet.
Here are some other benefits of carrots:
• Helps with digestion
• Improves blood circulation
• Promotes weight loss
• Natural remedy for colds and flu
What Other Foods Are Good For Your Eyes?
Carrots are not the only thing you should be eating for good vision. There are a number of fruits and vegetables that can boost your eye health.
Here are a few great foods you should include in your diet to maintain healthy eyes:
#1. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, arugula, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. These leafy green vegetables contain nutrients like vitamins A and C as well as calcium and folic acid.
#2. Berries like blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and cherries. Berries are rich sources of antioxidants that fight against diseases of the eye like cataracts and macular degeneration. They also lead to healthier skin around the eyes.
#3. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and Brazil nuts have omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to promote healthy eyes.
Overall, maintain a balanced diet and ensure you get your five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. It will guarantee that you are taking in all the nutrients you require to remain healthy and strong.