Unlocking the Nutritional Power of Avocados: A Must-Read!

9. Avocados and Eye Health

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Avocados' nutritional makeup makes them a great food for enhancing eye health. Two carotenoids—lutein and zeaxanthin—that are absolutely essential for preserving good vision abound in avocados. These substances gather in the eye's macula and retina, where they function as natural sunscreen shielding the eyes from damaging light waves. Foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as avocados, have been linked in regular consumption to a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, two major eye diseases that could cause vision loss in elderly persons. Avocados' monounsaturated fats also assist to improve the absorption of these vital carotenoids, therefore increasing their availability for usage by the body. Moreover, avocados' vitamin E value protects eye cells from free radical damage, therefore promoting eye health. Another antioxidant found in avocados, vitamin C is vital for the health of blood vessels in the eyes and might stop or slow down cataract development.