Berlin (dpa) - Carrots, rich in beta-carotene, are not the only
food beneficial to your eyes, points out Silke Restemeyer,
spokesperson for the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Spinach,
tomatoes, broccoli and mangoes also contain beta-carotene, which the
body converts into vitamin A.
As Restemeyer explains, vitamin A helps protect the eye's retina
and lens from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can
damage cells.
Beta-carotene is a carotenoid - a plant and animal pigment - and
other carotenoids that perform a similar function are lutein and
zeaxanthin, Restemeyer says.
Found mainly in leafy green vegetables and corn, these substances
can lower the risk of grey cataracts and macular degeneration, a form
of retinal damage, usually in older adults, that results in vision
loss.
The antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E protect eye cells
from damage caused by exposure to sunlight, Restemeyer notes. Citrus
fruits are a primary source of vitamin C, and vitamin E is found in
vegetable oils, hazelnuts and whole grains.
A representative survey of 1,000 Germans by the French market-
research company Ipsos showed that 83 per cent knew that carrots were
beneficial to the eyes. The corresponding figures for broccoli and
spinach were 32 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively.
Copyright 2009 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH