July is Healthy Vision Month: Why Healthy Vision Matters For Overall Health 👀
Your eyes are not just windows to the world but also indicators of your overall health. Eye health is intricately linked to various bodily functions and conditions. Regular eye care can not only help you see better but also detect early signs of other health issues.
How Does Eye Health Affect My Overall Health?
Eye health can reveal much about your overall health. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even some cancers can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam. Healthy vision ensures you can perform daily tasks safely and effectively, reducing the risk of accidents and improving your quality of life.
How Can I Keep My Eyes Healthy Naturally?
Maintaining eye health naturally involves several lifestyle and dietary choices:
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Foods rich in antioxidants, like leafy greens, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and colorful fruits and vegetables, support eye health.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your eyes moist and reduces dryness.
- Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and use protective eyewear during activities that could harm your eyes.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity improves blood circulation, which is vital for eye health.
What herbs are good for eye health?
Several herbs are known for their beneficial effects on eye health. Here are some notable ones:
- Eyebright: Traditionally used to reduce inflammation and infection in the eyes, often found in teas, tinctures, and homeopathic eye drops.
- Fennel: Helpful for watery and inflamed eyes, and used to treat conditions like cataracts and glaucoma. It can be consumed as tea or used as an eye wash.
- Ginkgo Biloba: Improves blood flow to the back of the eye and protects nerve cells, which can be beneficial for overall eye health.
- Gou Qi Zi (Wolfberries): Known to improve eyesight, moisten dry eyes, and prevent macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
- Grape Seed Extract: Rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, it supports overall eye health and improves circulation.
- Green Tea: Contains vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and antioxidants that help protect eye tissues from diseases like glaucoma.
- Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower): Rich in beta-carotene and B vitamins, beneficial for watery eyes, spotty vision, and blurred vision.
- Saffron: Contains compounds like crocin and crocetin, which may delay degeneration of eyesight, particularly among the elderly.
- Bilberry: Known for improving night vision and protecting the eyes against oxidative damage.
- Passionflower: Helps relieve eye strain and relaxes blood vessels in the eyes.
- Jaborandi: Effective in the early stages of glaucoma, providing comfort when used as an oil.
- Golden Seal: Reduces irritation and inflammation of the eyes, often used as an eye wash for infections.
These herbs can be incorporated into your diet or used in various forms such as teas, tinctures, or supplements to support and maintain eye health.
To support your eye health with targeted nutrition, consider products such as:
- I-Sight
- Pure Encapsulations EyeProtect Basics
Eye Health Screenings to Be Aware of as We Age
As we age, certain eye health screenings become essential to maintain optimal vision and detect potential issues early:
- Comprehensive Eye Exams: Regular exams can detect early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and other age-related conditions.
- Visual Field Testing: This test measures peripheral vision and can detect issues with the optic nerve.
- Tonometry: This screening measures eye pressure to check for glaucoma.
- Retinal Examination: A detailed look at the retina can reveal changes related to diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health conditions.
Taking proactive steps to maintain eye health is crucial for your overall well-being. Regular screenings, a healthy lifestyle, and targeted supplements can help ensure your eyes remain healthy as you age.
Learn more about eye health and eye research at the National Eye Institute.
---
Enjoy this delicious and healthy recipe containing garlic, which has a whole list of eye health benefits! Plus not only is it yummy but is perfect for supporting your eyes and overall wellness journey.
Tostones with Garlic Dipping Sauce
Plantains can be prepared in a variety of ways. One of my favorite ways to incorporate plantains into my diet is by making Tostones. These slices of plantain have been fried, smashed, and refried until crisp so that when you snack on one, you feel as if you might just be eating a little bit of sunshine. Once you know how to make them, tostones turn out perfect every time!
Prep: 35 Min. Cook: 10 Min. Total: 45 Min. Servings: 6-8
Tostone Ingredients:
- 4 green plantains
- 1 cup (canola, olive, peanut, coconut, or avocado) oil, as needed
- 2 cups water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 lime, juiced
Garlic Dipping Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup olive oil, warmed
- 1 head garlic, peeled, crushed, and finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt, to taste
Tostone Instructions:
- Using a knife, cut the ends off of each plantain. Next, cut the skin of the plantain from top to bottom (lengthwise). Be careful not to cut into the meat of the fruit.
- With your fingers, pry open and peel off the tough outer skin of the plantain.
- Cut the plantains into one-inch thick pieces.
- Pour the oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet. It should be about a third of the way filled with oil.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat to allow the oil to heat up slightly.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the water, garlic, kosher salt, and lime juice. Set aside.
- Once warmed, add the plantain slices to the oil. The oil should be just warm enough that it begins to lightly bubble shortly after adding the plantains, though the bubbles should not be vigorous. Fry the plantains until they are soft and golden. This should take about four minutes each side. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the plantains to a paper towel lined plate.
- Using the bottom of a glass, plate, or can, gently flatten each fried plantain piece. Smash them just enough so that they flatten out. If they are smashed, too much here they will break apart.
- Dip the flattened plantain slices in the garlic-lime water. Let them sit for about 10 seconds, then remove them from the water and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Repeat.
- When nearly ready to serve, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the flattened plantains back to the oil in batches and briefly fry to crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
- Sprinkle them with salt. Serve with garlic dipping sauce or any other of your favorite dipping sauces, if desired.
Garlic Dipping Sauce Instructions:
- In a blender or food processor, add olive oil, garlic, onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt.
- Process until ingredients are thoroughly mixed (watch for the garlic and onion to be fully broken down).
- Pour into a stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bowl. Cover and refrigerate sauce until ready to use.