Carrots not the only food beneficial for eyes

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.