Vision is among the most vital and complex of human senses. The human eye is a natural engineering marvel, capable of processing 36,000 bits of information per hour. The eyes need proper nutrition to function correctly and stay healthy.
Consuming a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help prevent eye problems and protect vision. The best way to maintain long-term eye health is to incorporate vision-boosting foods in your diet.
Introduction to Kiwi
Kiwi is a small fruit with an unusual appearance that grows on a woody vine-creeping plant, native to China. This fruit was initially called Chinese gooseberry but later took on the name of New Zealand’s national bird, the Kiwi.
The fruit has a green, fuzzy skin and small black seeds that are edible. The flesh is creamy and a vivid bright green with a sweet, yet somewhat sour flavor. Kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals that are beneficial to overall health.
This powerhouse of nutrition helps prevent a wide range of ailments, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory disorders.
What Makes Kiwi Good For Eyesight?
The human body doesn’t produce vitamin C on its own, making it essential to include it in your diet. Kiwi is loaded with vitamin C, which plays a vital role in maintaining optimal eye health.
Consuming just one large-sized kiwi fruit provides more than the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C serves as a crucial antioxidant, meaning it reduces oxidative stress in the body and eye cells.
The high concentration of vitamin C in Kiwi helps reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration- a leading factor in vision loss and blindness.
Additionally, vitamin C helps strengthen the capillaries in the eyes and lower the risk of cataracts.
The Vision Benefits of Kiwi
Regular consumption of kiwi can help improve vision and protect against various vision problems. Here are some of the vision benefits of Kiwi:.
1. Prevents Age-related Macular Degeneration
Kiwi is an excellent source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin that protect against oxidative stress. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that causes poor vision and blindness in the elderly.
Kiwi’s high concentration of antioxidants helps prevent AMD and cataracts, lowers the risk of glaucoma, and promotes a better quality of life to older adults.
2. Promotes Eye Health and Function
Kiwi contains an abundance of nutrients that promote eye health, including vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and copper. These nutrients nourish the eyes and enable them to maintain their health and function, ensuring clear vision.
Vitamin A, particularly, promotes eye health and reduces the risk of night blindness and other eye problems.
3. Rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are vital antioxidants in the eyes that protect against free radicals that cause damage in the eye. Multiple studies suggest that increased intake of these antioxidants reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Kiwi is rich in these antioxidants, making it an ideal fruit to add to your diet for healthy vision.
4. Lowers Inflammation in the Eye
Chronic inflammation is a significant risk factor for developing vision-related diseases such as cataracts and AMD. Kiwi is rich in Vitamin C known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the eyes.
Reducing inflammation helps maintain healthy blood vessels and reduce vision problems related to inflammation.
5. Enhances Blood Flow to the Eyes
Healthy blood flow to the eyes is essential for maintaining optimal eye health and vision. Certain nutrients like potassium and copper help enhance blood flow.
Kiwi contains both minerals and therefore helps promote good blood flow and ensures healthy eyesight.
Conclusion
Adding kiwi to your diet can enhance eye health and reduce the risk of vision-related problems.
The fruit’s unique combination of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients helps maintain clear vision, protect against oxidative damage, and reduce inflammation. The antioxidants in this fruit provide significant benefits to overall health and promote a better quality of life.