A Feast For The Eyes

Protect your peepers, starting now, with these five foods that will help you see well into the future

- Lisa Turner

Diminished eye health and vision problems may seem inevitable as we age. But studies show that certain foods can reduce free radical damage, lower inflammation, and protect the eyes from cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other serious vision issues. And the good news? Eating for eye health is easy—and delicious!

1 Kale is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, powerful antioxidants that are selectively concentrated in the macula, the part of the retina that’s the region of sharpest vision. Both are thought to protect against macular degeneration—the leading cause of blindness—by quenching free radicals, stabilizing cell membranes, and absorbing blue light emitted by electronics. In one study, researchers found that a higher intake of lutein and zeaxanthin was associated with a 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration. Other good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include spinach, turnip greens, chard, collards, and peppers. Try this: Toss kale leaves with olive oil and coarse salt, and roast until crispy; sauté finely chopped kale with onion, minced carrots, chickpeas, and curry powder; make a spicy pesto with kale, basil, cashews, and Sriracha.