With age, the biochemical processes in the body slow down, and with them the visual function fades away. This process is accelerated by the colossal tension that the eyes experience when they are in daily contact with electronic devices – various gadgets, TV sets and computers. At the first signs of visual impairment, it is necessary to consult a doctor, and at the same time pay attention to   foods that are fully capable of not only slowing down this process, but also improve eye performance.

What substances do our eyes need for normal work?

At the very center of the retina is the macula or yellow spot, so named because of its yellow color. Such pigmentation is due to the carotenoids present in the macula – lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. Visual acuity, the ability to clearly distinguish objects from close and far away, to recognize the entire color spectrum depends on the concentration of these three most important components. In addition, the saturation of the yellow color determines the degree of protection of the retina against UV rays.

Therefore, to maintain the normal functioning of the organs of vision, it is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of food rich in the aforementioned carotenoids. The body itself does not produce these pigments – they can only be obtained from food. And although meso-zeaxanthin is synthesized by the body, its own resources for replenishing a sufficient amount of this substance are not always enough. You can maintain normal vision if you receive 10 ml of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin daily. Well, the volume of zeaxanthin increased to 10 mg together with 2 mg of meso-zeaxanthin will have a therapeutic effect and fight against myopia and other diseases of the organs of vision.

Citrus on guard cataracts

According to statistics, such a pathology of vision as   cataract   every second person who has stepped over the 60-year mark develops, and by the age of 80 almost everyone is diagnosed with the disease. Unfortunately, a progressive disease is amenable to correction only by surgery, therefore it is so important to carry out its prevention in time. Foods rich in vitamin C will help in this. According to American researchers, by increasing the proportion of foods containing ascorbic acid in the diet, the likelihood of cataracts can be reduced by 30%.

These include citrus fruits, kiwi, cherries, currants, bell peppers, onions. The most stable form of this vitamin is in cabbage, and one of the champions in its content is rosehip. To replenish the daily norm of ascorbic acid, it is sufficient to consume daily a small bunch of fresh parsley. Another good source of ascorbic acid is Barbados cherry.

How do omega-3 foods fight the effects of diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus causes a variety of serious complications, and one of them is diabetic retinopathy. In this disease, the vessels of the retina of the eyeball are affected. It is possible to resist the disease, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) will help in this. They are contained in different foods, but one of the champions is red fish. During one of the experiments with the participation of diabetics, they were offered to eat dishes from red varieties of fish twice a week, thus obtaining 500 mg of Omega-3 PUFAs. By sticking to this menu for a whole year, they reduced the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by almost 50%.

Other studies have shown that with regular consumption of food rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, the risk of macular degeneration is reduced by 60%. Therefore, everyone, including those suffering from diabetes, needs to lean on the sea fish. Red varieties will bring special benefits, as well as herring, mackerel, tuna. A lot of PUFAs in vegetable oils – camelina, rapeseed, flaxseed, as well as nuts and seeds, wheat germ. They are present in tofu cheese, legumes, avocados, bananas, strawberries.

Astaxanthin-rich seafood

Another little known carotenoid, astaxanthin, is beneficial for eye health. It has a powerful antioxidant effect on the body, preventing clouding of the lens and the development of retinopathy, which is caused by diabetes. In addition, he is able to cope with eye inflammation and speed up recovery for iritis, conjunctivitis, retinitis, scleritis, etc. It is contained in algae, protecting them from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. This property began to be used in medicine to protect the organs of vision from ultraviolet radiation and prevent the destruction of neural connections in the retinal layers.

Small sea dwellers – krill, mollusks, crustaceans, manatees feed on such algae. It is useful to eat these foods, both in pure form and in the form of caviar, salads, all kinds of snacks, first courses. Greater benefits can bring krill oil.

Foods with a high concentration of anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are plant glycosides that give fruits and leaves a purple, blue and red color. Their high concentration can boast black currants and blueberries, blackberries, eggplants, beets. Doctors advise to lean on black currants containing fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this respect, the butter of this berry is of the greatest interest, but one should not ignore blackcurrants in the season of its ripening.

Bilberry can be beneficial in the initial stage of macular degeneration. According to scientists, regularly eating it, you can avoid such ailments as cataracts and macular dystrophy. To obtain a positive result, up to 100 mg of anthocyanins contained in various   food products. Well, the therapeutic effect will be provided, thanks to the daily ingestion of a dose of 160 mg of anthocyanins. As you can see, in nature there are many products of animal and vegetable origin, able to maintain the health of our eyes until old age. But do not rely only on them. At the first sign of a problem with the eyes, an urgent need to consult a doctor.