Rumour has it that eating carrots is good for your eyes—particularly for seeing better at night. It could be that mothers worldwide perpetuated this belief to convince their kids to eat more veggies. But the truth of the matter is that carrots, especially garden-fresh organic carrots, are very good for your eyesight and overall eye health.
Doctors and optometrists often recommend carrots because of their high levels of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a pigment in plants that give them their bright orange or red colour. When carrots are eaten and digested by the body, the beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A—an antioxidant and essential vitamin. Vitamin A is beneficial for skin and hair health, to keep the body’s mucus membranes lubricated, and for superior vision and eye health. Vitamin A directly benefits the cornea (the outer layer of the eyeball) by maintaining clarity and suppleness.
Vitamin A is also a major element in an eye protein called rhodopsin. This protein allows the eyes to function optimally at night or during low-light conditions. Vitamin A may also be beneficial in reducing the risks of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Although carrots are the most-recommended veggie for eye health, it’s not the only vegetable that you could try eating to improve the health of your eyes. Consuming any vegetables containing vitamin A will positively impact your vision.
The following vegetables are high in beta-carotene and vitamin A and are recommended for improved eye health:
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Red bell peppers
- Pumpkin
- Yellow Squash
- Acorn Squash
- Butternut Squash
Carrots can only do so much to help your eyesight—and that’s where Dr. Specs Optical in Kelowna comes in! With complete eyewear services, including eye exams, designer frames and lenses, and contact lenses, Dr. Specs Optical will help you see clearly. To book an eye exam or inquire about eyewear and custom coatings, contact us today!