Of all the muscles in the human body, the most
hardworking are the eyes. The average human eye
blinks for 17,000 times in a day! However, as with any other muscle, over-working the eyes can lead to
exhaustion and cause severe stress.
Eyes are one of the most important organs in the human body and vision is one of the most wonderful gifts. But often many people neglect the importance of eye care and do not pay proper attention towards eye care.
Despite the numerous advances in medical science, there are close to 10 million blind people globally. Worse still, the number of blind people swells by over one million yearly. But have you ever seen a blind fish, Bird, Monkey, cat or Tiger? Except animals are wounded by hunters, their eyes sustain their vision throughout their lifespan. Yet, the super vision of animals is not a product of extraordinary creation by God.
Rather, it is a result of eating in compliance with the natural laws of nutrition. But why does man God created in his image contend with the rising cases of eye diseases, visual impairment and blindness? The answer is not farfetched. The common foods and dietary habits violate one of the fundamental laws of nutrition, which prescribes eating 20% acidic foods and 80% alkaline foods in order to ensure pH balance and optimal workings of the body organs.
In other words, a lot of the foods and drinks people consume with relish on daily basis destroy the eyes given the inseparable link between nutrition and vision. In specific terms, daily consumption of acidic foods and drinks causes low pH and low level of oxygen which are markers of absence of health in the body. As a matter of fact, when acids block proper absorption of oxygen and other essential nutrients, the eyesight is the first to suffer.
Besides causing acidity, many foods and drinks people consume daily also have other negative effects on the eyes. Let's have a look at how some of the commonly eating foods harm the eye and impair vision.
REFINED SUGAR: Refined sugar has no nutritional value, yet it depletes the body stores of B vitamins and other nutrients critical to the health and functions of the eyes. Thus, the saying goes as
the more sugar in the diet, the greater the incidence of myopia.ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Many people have replaced refined sugar with artificial sweeteners such as Saccharine, Nutrasweet, Splenda for teas and coffee. This is like running from fire to frying pan because the major component of artificial sweeteners is
aspartame - a highly toxic chemical which drives the blood sugar out of control causing brain damage, loos of memory and blindness after prolonged use.
FRIED FOODS: Regular consumption of fried foods causes vascular problem by weakening the heart and impairing blood circulation. In effect, fried foods deprive the brain and the eyes adequate blood supply, thus causing visual impairment that deteriorates as we age.
ICE WATER: Not taking enough water daily is bad for the health of the body system particularly the brain, heart and the eyes. But taking ice water on a daily basis is worse for the health of the eyes. Ice water causes poor digestion, impairs blood circulation and depleted the body store of B vitamin governing the Normal working of the brain and eyes.
REFINED SALTS: It is impossible not to have deteriorating vision with daily intake of refined salts in home cooking and in many other snacks and processed foods and drinks that dominate the menu list of the modern man.
Nutrition is not only the basis of ideal healthcare; it is also the only means to protect the eyes against diseases and good vision all through life.
Whether to preserve good vision or redress visual impairment, it is imperative to apply the principal of addition and subtraction in what we eat.
Put in another way, we must avoid unhealthy foods that harm the eyes and eat healthy foods that can help stem epidemic of eye diseases and blindness.
As we get older, the eyes become more susceptible to damage caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and overactive immune system, which results in the body becoming flooded with defense cells and hormones that damage parts of the eyes. In fact, up
to half of adults suffer from some sort of cataracts by the time they’re 75 years old.
The top eye vitamins are
- Lutein.
- Zeaxanthin.
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin E.
- Zinc.
- Vitamin A and
- Omega-3.
They help stop free radical damage; prevent macular degeneration; lower the risk for cataracts; reduce glaucoma, eye fatigue, flare and light sensitivity; and strengthen tissues in the eyes and elsewhere.
Some of the best foods that provide eye vitamins include carrots, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, green beans, eggs, berries, papaya, mango, kiwi, melon, guava, corn, red bell peppers, peas, nuts, seeds, wild-caught seafood, grass-fed meat and pasture-raised poultry.