Exposure to blue light is a daily occurrence. Many of us know blue light is emitted from electronic devices such as computers, smart phones, and tablets, but we can also get it from the sun and LED and fluorescent lighting. Repeated exposure to blue light can lead to eye strain, disruptions in our sleep / wake cycle, occasional mood issues and more. Blue light protection glasses are a good way to reduce exposure.
Foods and Supplements for Vision Health
Colorful vegetables and fruits are rich in zeaxanthin, lutein, and astaxanthin, all powerful nutrients that benefit eye health. These nutrients can cross the blood-retinal barrier and provide protection. Some of the best foods are dark green vegetables, like kale, spinach, collard greens, and broccoli. Other great options are yellow and orange foods such as oranges, carrots, yams, bell peppers, and yellow heirloom tomatoes.
Incorporating these foods into our daily diet is simple. Here are a few tips:
- Sautee spinach and tomatoes with scrambled eggs for breakfast.
- Cut up an orange bell pepper and dip it in hummus.
- Buy or bake your own kale chips.
- Eat an orange or make orange-infused water.
- Use spinach or kale in smoothies.
- Add spinach, carrots, bell peppers, and heirloom yellow tomatoes to a salad.
- Steam broccoli, and bake a yam for a side dish.
If you don't like cooking or are looking for an extra blue light protection boost, consider taking a supplement with lutein and zeaxanthin, or use a super green food powder in water or a smoothie. We can all agree that our electronic devices are not going away, so it's important that we arm ourselves with nutrients that protect our precious eyesight.
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