Prevent dry eyes with 4 cheap foods

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your tears are not able to provide enough lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons. For example, dry eye can occur if you do not produce enough tears or if you produce poor quality tears.

Dry eyes make you feel uncomfortable. If you have dry eyes, your eyes may feel itchy and sore. You may experience dry eyes in certain situations, such as sitting on an airplane, in an air-conditioned room, while riding a bicycle, or after looking at a computer screen for several hours.

Many studies show that key nutrients can help prevent or even alleviate many dry eye symptoms. In general, people who eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of fish have a reduced risk of all eye problems.

Pure water

Dry eye syndrome is often improved by simply drinking more water. Although water is not often considered a food, it is the most essential “nutrient” for the human body, and most people today are chronically dehydrated. 20% of your body’s water comes from the food you eat, and the rest should come from pure drinking water.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Essential fatty acids are responsible for the production of tear fluid. The best food sources of essential fatty acids are fish oils and cold-water fish such as salmon, halibut, sardines, and tuna.

Other good sources include flaxseed and flaxseed oil, which can be ground in a coffee grinder and sprinkled on cereals and nuts or in fruit juices. People with dry eyes have seen an increase in tear production within 10 days of increasing essential fatty acids plus Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.

Antioxidants

Dry eyes can also be caused by free radicals in the body; poor diet; lack of exercise; and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic stress. Healthy foods rich in antioxidants can help slow down the oxidation process.

Antioxidants can be easily obtained from a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, especially dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach and beets.

Potassium and zinc

All minerals are important for eye health, but potassium and zinc are especially beneficial. Potassium is often low in dry eye patients. The best food sources of potassium include kelp, wheat germ, almonds, walnuts, bananas, grapes, dates, figs, and avocados.

Zinc is a cofactor in the metabolic functions of many enzymes in the blood vessels of the eye. Some good food sources of zinc include brewer's yeast, fish, seaweed, legumes, liver, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, and whole grains.

Treating dry eyes can make you feel more comfortable. Treatments may include lifestyle changes and eye drops. Now you have one more valuable piece of information: “Foods that prevent dry eyes.”