Dr David Teenan, a leading Ophthalmologist and UK Medical Director at Optical Express has revealed the surprising impact Christmas meals can have on your vision.
Below, Dr Teenan spills the green beans about how each item on the festive menu could affect your family’s eyes in unexpected ways…
Turkey
The original Christmas classic, Turkey is the much-maligned mainstay of any festive meal. As well as building muscle, this lean source of protein helps to maintain the healthy retinas that keep your vision sharp. It’s also bursting with healthy vitamins like calcium and zinc, which create melanin – the chemical that helps you see in the dark.
Carrots
Carrots contain beta-carotene, a vitamin which can stop the development of cataracts. They are also a source of antioxidants that improve macula function, which is responsible for central vision. It all means that – as the old wives’ tale says – carrots also help you see in the dark.
Brussel Sprouts
Love them or hate them, brussels sprouts are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, particularly when it comes to your eyesight. They contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which helps you identify lights and colours. Those who’ve spent too much time looking at screens this year can undo some of the damage by eating sprouts, which have vitamins that help your macula block excessive blue light.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce, bread sauce, or gravy? Whichever you prefer, one thing is for certain: it’s the cranberry that will do your eyes a world of good. The fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and lots of antioxidants, producing collagen to strengthen the front part of your eye, the cornea.
Dr Teenan explains the eyesight benefits of Christmas dinner further: “If your eyes are bigger than your stomach this year, just remember that you might be pleasantly surprised about the benefits of Christmas dinner to your eye health.”