One other potent antioxidant, vitamin C is discovered all through the physique, however concentrations within the aqueous humor — the clear liquid in entrance of the attention’s lens — are as much as 70 occasions larger than in plasma. This factors to vitamin C’s significance in defending the eyes from free-radical harm.
The lens is a novel construction in our our bodies, says Anshel. “It requires oxygen to develop however has no blood provide as a result of you’ll be able to’t see by way of blood. The lens must be clear so mild can attain the retina.”
As we age, the lens continues rising — and because it grows, it thickens. The thicker the lens, the much less versatile it turns into, which is why we lose the flexibility to deal with issues up shut, he notes.
And and not using a blood provide, the lens should get all its diet by way of the aqueous humor.
Scientists suspect that the vitamin C within the humor shields lenses from UV harm, which in flip helps stop cataracts, the main reason behind blindness worldwide.
Reaching the really useful 200 mg of vitamin C every day is simple in case you eat at the least 5 servings of greens and fruits, particularly citrus, tomatoes, bell peppers, and kiwi. For the reason that physique can’t take up greater than 250 mg of vitamin C a day, something greater than that will likely be flushed out within the urine.
(Vitamin C is an important nutrient that helps almost each side of well being. Be taught extra at “What You Must Know About Vitamin C.”
→ Greatest sources: Citrus, tomatoes, bell peppers, and kiwi
→ Most necessary impact: Protects the eyes from the solar
Consuming for Eye Well being
Meals performs an enormous position in sustaining our imaginative and prescient — and carrots are only the start. Uncover the most effective vitamins for eye well being at “How you can Eat for Eye Well being,” from which this text was excerpted.