How do you know carrots are good for your eyes?

Answer 1

Eating for Healthy Eyes

If you grew up thinking carrots were good for your eyes, you were probably right, says Dr. Bob Keith, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System nutritionist.

However, he says, scientists now know that a number of dietary factors other than carrots could protect your eyes from diseases that occur as you get older.

Two major eye diseases that occur in people as they age are cataracts and macular degeneration, Keith says.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens that occurs when proteins in the lens clump together.

Macular degeneration is a breakdown of the central portion of the retina. This disease destroys the central vision people need to clearly see objects right in front of them or read words from a magazine article, book or other printed material.

Most people over the age of 65 have some degree of one or both of these eye diseases, Keith says.

"It has been established that people who smoke cigarettes, stay out in the sun without protecting their eyes or who have diabetes are at greater risk for developing cataracts and macular degeneration," he says. "However, scientific evidence is accumulating that suggests that certain dietary practices can reduce your chances of developing these eye diseases."

Keith says one of those dietary practices is consuming lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in the antioxidants, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C. Green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and other produce are high in these chemicals.

"These antioxidants accumulate in the eye and help protect it from damage," he says. "The type of fat you eat also may play a role in the development of these eye diseases. Some recent evidence suggests that diets high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in vegetable oils such as corn and safflower oils, may promote eye disease. Yet diets higher in omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and various nuts may help protect against these eye diseases."

Your body-fat levels may influence your chances of developing cataracts, too, he says.

"A recent study with 17,150 doctors found that those doctors who were overweight had a 20 percent higher risk for cataracts," Keith says. "Doctors who were obese had a 40 percent greater risk as compared with healthy-weight physicians. So decreasing your chances of developing cataracts is now another reason to keep your weight in the healthy range."

Nutritional supplements also may play a role in keeping eyes healthy.

"In a couple of recent studies, it was found that older individuals who had supplemented their diets with vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc had lower levels of cataracts and macular degeneration," Keith says. "So it does now seem that following certain nutrition practices throughout your lifetime can reduce your chances of developing two of the more common eye diseases seen in people as they get older."

Answer 2

Hi! Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining your eyes. However, if you abusive your eyes such as reading under dim-light, wearing of contact-lens for more than 8 hours, etc. then no-matter how much Vitamin A you take will still not work miracle in your eyes except that it may prevent worsening of your eyes condition and that's all. Just an opinion...

Answer 3

Yes, because carrots are a good source of Vitamin A which is good for your eyes. Carrots also help with night vision.

Answer 4

It Has Vitamin A Which Helps Eye Vision.

In addition honey is very good for you eyes, if you have 2 Tsp per day for 1 year, you can see.

Answer 5

Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Antioxidants for Sight
Carotenoids give carrots their orange color. You can find them in many red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, as well as in green, leafy vegetables (which are a great source of the carotenoid lutein). Find out how they're linked to blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Answer 6

Because carrot have Vitamin A with can let you look youthful and it is good for your eyes.If you have not enough Vitamin A,you will have night-blindness.

Answer 7

It Has Vitamin E Which Helps Eye Vision

Answer 8

they really aren't anymore good for your eyes then lets say spinach. It is just the Vitamin A that lead people to believe that. Also too much can make you ill.

Answer 9

I eat alot of carrots but I'm still legally blind without my contacts or glasses.

Answer 10

i have no idea. But Andy Hurley (you may know him from Fall Out Boy) (I'm the bassist) he's a vegan. And maybe he should answer this question. Email 'em at [e-mail]