Your eyes need all the essential vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy and good food is, of course, the best gift to your eyes. Age-related cataract is an eye condition that often causes blindness and surgery is the only way to cure it. However, eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants helps in reducing the risk of cataracts.
Can Food help in Cataract Prevention?
A healthy diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables helps in reducing the risk of cataracts. Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals such as Vitamins A, C, and E along with lutein and zeaxanthin which help protect one’s eyes against cataracts.
Fish that are high in Omega-3 Fatty acid also helps in preventing cataracts.
There have been several studies that show that a healthy diet can actually help prevent cataracts.
A 2014 study conducted in Sweden showed that women who consumed a diet with the highest Total Antioxidant Capacity are less likely to develop this eye issue. The study involved about 30,000 women of age 49 and older. The study found that fruits and vegetables contribute to the highest level of TAC (44.3%) followed by whole grains (17%), and coffee (15.1%).
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24370844)
A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that a diet rich in carbohydrates may increase your risk of cataracts. So, avoid anything that is high in carbs. The study involved checking the eating habits of over 1,600 adults.
(https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2185988)
What should you include in your diet to reduce your risk of Cataract?
You may include these items:
- Dark green leafy vegetables and colourful fruits and veggies are excellent sources of antioxidants that are good for your eyes. These contain calcium and folic acid- two important nutrients that help in reducing the risk of cataracts. So, even though you hate eating broccoli or spinach, but think of your eyes and eat them!
- Also, apart from eating dark green leafy veggies, it’s important to avoid processed and fried foods, sugary drinks, candies etc. All these things increase your risk of cataracts along with other health issues.
- Reducing the sodium levels in your diet is also important. High salt intake increases your risk for cataracts.
Giving up oily fast food is not easy but it’s not tough as well. Once you get used to a healthy diet of whole grains, veggies, fruits, and fish you won’t miss any processed and junk foods. This will not only keep you healthy but also improve your vision and reduce your risk of cataracts.
Want to know about cataract surgery in Kolkata? Visit Disha Eye Hospitals
Know more about cataract surgery in Disha Eye Hospitals here http://www.dishaeye.org/cataract
While a healthy diet is essential to keep your eyes healthy, it’s also important that you visit an eye specialist to keep your vision healthy. At Disha Eye Hospitals, we are committed to taking care of your eyes and providing you with the best possible treatment. To book an appointment with some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment