Did you know that your eye health is linked to the health of your blood vessels and heart? What you eat and drink can have an effect on both your heart’s health and your vision. According to WebMD, these are some foods that can damage your eyes if eaten excessively on a regular basis.
1. Fried Foods
Trans fats found in deep-fried foods elevate LDL cholesterol levels, putting you at risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Trans fats also produce toxic free radicals. Additionally, this is associated with AMD and diabetic retinopathy.
Consuming citrus fruits, tomatoes, and red bell peppers is an excellent approach to combat free radical damage, which has been related to an increased risk of cancer.
2. Margarine
Margarine is a vegetable oil-based product that contains unsaturated “healthy” fats. It may be more beneficial to your health than butter. Additionally, some margarine contains trans fat, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease and eye difficulties.
There is a link between the trans fat content and the firmness of margarine. Instead of sticks, you can use spreads or liquids.
3. Ready-to-Eat Foods
It is fairly uncommon for prepared foods such as soup, tomato sauce, and canned goods to contain up to 75% more sodium than advised.
By decreasing your consumption of these things, you can reduce your risk of getting hypertension and associated eye issues. For a healthy eye, natural flavour enhancers such as herbs and spices can be introduced to your diet.
4. Sugary Beverages
Soda, sports and energy drinks, lemonade, and a variety of other sweetened liquids are high in sugar. Apart from that, they’re a significant source of calories and added sugars.
If you consume a lot of sugar, you increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This can result in related eye disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and AMD. Water is the healthiest and most effective way to maintain good eye health.
5. Pasta and Bread
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual loss in the elderly, and it has been linked to simple carbs such as white bread and pasta. This is because this type of carbohydrate is readily absorbed by the body. As a result, blood sugar levels rise.
6. Shellfish
Mercury is not a concern if fish and shellfish are consumed in moderation. It can cause eye damage and other serious health problems at high concentrations, especially in pregnant women and nursing moms.
7. Alcohol
Even though alcohol is not a meal, it has been related to eye problems. Cataracts, a common eye condition marked by a cloudy area in the lens of the eye, can develop as a result of excessive alcohol intake early in life.
8. Caffeine
Caffeine in your morning cup of coffee or tea may cause your intraocular pressure to rise. Glaucoma patients and those with ocular hypertension are more likely to notice an increase in eye pressure following caffeine use. Excessive intraocular pressure can result in eye damage and possibly blindness.
