Nutrition
Top Raw Natural Foods To Boost Your Eyesight
If you’re looking for a simple, natural way to boost your vision, adding these raw foods to your diet could be the answer. Available in most supermarkets and natural food stores such as Holland and Barrett, these herbs, nuts, and seeds can offer added sustenance for your vision. There’s no need to transform your diet completely, simply throw in a few of these key ingredients to give your daily meals a nutritious vision boost.
Almonds
Almonds are readily available in most supermarkets and act as key ingredients in puddings, cakes, and salads. Almonds contain high levels of vitamin E which studies suggest could be beneficial to eyesight. The recommended allowance of vitamin E is 15mg daily which may sound like very little but many people still fail to reach this target.
It is one of the most important vitamins for eyesight because it can help to reduce the risk of developing cataracts, one of the world’s most common eye conditions which often requires surgery. A study of over 3000 people found that people who took a daily vitamin E supplement for 10 years had a 60% lower incidence of cataracts than those who didn’t. But if you’re not keen on the idea of artificial supplements, adding almonds to your diet is a natural, easy alternative to get your daily 15mg.
Parsley
Parsley is the common herb that makes an aromatic addition to salads, soups, and a variety of other dishes. Parsley contains a special nutrient called lutein which can also be found in the central part of the back of the eye.
It has been found that daily supplementation of lutein can significantly improve vision for people who suffer from common age-related eye conditions, macular degeneration. In addition, parsley contains vitamin C for a healthy immune system and beta-carotene for healthy vision. Although lutein is available in supplement form, it can easily be added to your diet by simply including a couple of sprigs of parsley in your recipes.
Bilberry
Bilberries are not as readily available in supermarkets as they are more difficult to grow than many berries but they are hailed as vision superfoods for their powerful antioxidant qualities. They are already commonly prescribed in Europe as a natural remedy for minor eye conditions. Bilberries are believed to help improve microcirculation in the eyes and increase the flow of blood in the delicate capillaries around the eyes.
During the war, bilberries were favored by RAF pilots to help with visual sensitivity and accuracy due to the promotion of oxygen flow to the eyes. These small berries also contain high levels of anthocyanidins which are believed to be beneficial for the delicate light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye (retina). Bilberries are popularly eaten as jam but the added sugar can compromise the raw, natural produce. Instead, try them fresh and raw. You will find they are smaller than blueberries but have a delicious fuller taste.
Grapeseed
You may not have heard of grape seed or grape seed extract but it is fast becoming a popular nutrient among those looking for a natural anti-aging supplement and clearer vision.
Although you probably have a bunch of grapes in your fruit bowl, it is the tiny seeds inside which hold the powerful antioxidant properties believed to promote healthy cells. Research shows that antioxidants can eliminate free radicals in the body to help protect the body’s cells from damage. The grape seed extract is also high in pyocyanin compounds which, according to a Japanese study, successfully inhibited the development of cataracts in test subjects.
So before you reach for the tablets and powders, consider these raw, natural alternatives to give your daily meals a healthy vision boost.