Bright Eyes For A Brighter Day: Nutrition for Eye Health
People of all ages today are constantly being exposed to harsh light from our mobile phones, computers, television screens and advertising billboards. Our eyes only get to rest when we have the rare chance of looking at lush greenery or when we close our eyes for a hard-earned catnap or good night’s sleep.
Aronia berries and black raspberries, known for their high antioxidant levels, have been increasingly used in laboratory and cosmetics testing with regards to eye health and eye care products. The high antioxidant levels in Aronia berries and black raspberries are believed to slow down aging in general and play an important role in anti-wrinkle diets in helping to protect our eyes from the sun’s strong ultraviolet radiation. Theses berries are good sources of nutrition for eye health.
In particular, Aronia berries contain a high amount of carotene, which is essential in protecting cells from damage and shielding the eyes from cataract formation. Aronia berries are also rich in antioxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which have photo-filtering effects on the sun’s ultraviolet rays and work to protect the eyes from age related macular degeneration in the elderly (ARMD), as well as eye inflammation (uveitis). As our silver generation grows rapidly across all countries, ARMD is an area of health concern for all medical personnel. In general, a recommended daily intake of three or more servings of fruits has been shown to decrease the risk of ARMD and to delay its progression.
Black raspberries and Aronia berries protect the retina from oxidative stress and safeguard the eye membranes from eye infections and general eye diseases. In a study published in the May 2006 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, it was reported that Aronia berries, elderberries and black raspberries were the top three berries with the highest level of anthocyanins, compound that help to promote bright eye vision by boosting circulation within the retina and improving night vision.
While the elderly and people in specific occupations, such as pilots and professional divers, may have a more urgent need to protect and improve their eyes, good eye health is still essential for all. A cup of Aronia berry juice or black raspberry juice every morning will provide you the nutrition for eye health and improve your overall health.
