Is Spinach Good for Eye Health?

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EyeQue Team

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September 1, 2020

Spinach

Spinach and Eye Health

Spinach and Eye Health InfographicSpinach is an excellent addition to your diet for many reasons. It contains a surplus of vitamins including A, C, and K. Plus, it is a great source of magnesium, iron, and manganese.

The vitamins and minerals in spinach help build stronger bones, boost the immune system, and promote heart health. But did you know that they’re also good for your eye health?

Spinach Benefits for Eyes

Most people have been told to make sure they eat their carrots because they are good for the eyes (Which is true – carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is a necessary vitamin to keep eyes healthy). However, if you are over a certain age, then you should also make sure that you eat your leafy greens… like spinach.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, leafy greens are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids, which help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration affects more than 10 million people in America. It is an incurable disease that causes deterioration of the macula, which is the central part of the retina. This is vision-threatening eye disease most often seen in people over the age of 55.

Risk Factors of Macular Degeneration

Age is the biggest risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, but there are other things to look out for as well. Genetics and race play a factor as well, with Caucasians being affected more than other races. Smoking is also a huge risk factor. People that smoke actually double their risk for macular degeneration.

Treatment for Macular Degeneration

Currently, there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration. Most treatments are focused on slowing down the progression of the disease, so the best thing you can do is work on prevention. According to the NIH, these are the best ways to prevent and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration:

  • Don’t smoke
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a diet rich in leafy greens

Early age-related macular degeneration doesn’t have any symptoms, but your eye doctor can test for it during a comprehensive dilated eye exam, so it’s important that you visit your eye doctor regularly.

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