Many people say that if food is healthy for you it doesn’t taste good. However, when it comes to protecting and improving your eye health this is a common misconception. In fact many healthy foods that are good for your eyes are also appealing to your taste buds. These include cherries,grapes, watermelons,oranges, walnuts and dark chocolate to name a few. Plums are another example of a tasty healthy food to improve eyesight that supports better vision health. Therefore, here are some reasons why you should include plums as part of a healthy diet to improve vision and protect your eye health.
Plums are packed with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins B1, (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), B-6 and Vitamin E. Additional nutrients include Vitamins A and C, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron and Zinc to name a few. This is a good snack if you are watching your calories. It is very low in calorie content and also rich in fiber that gives it properties useful in terms of weight loss.
Eye Health Benefits: Research provided by The Archives of Ophthalmology shows that a serving of 3 or more fruits including plums can help to reduce the risks for the age related vision disease macular degeneration. The vitamin A and beta- carotene content in plums are beneficial in maintaining healthy eyesight. This tasty fruit also possesses carotenoids that help to protect the macular tissues of the retina and reduces the risks for age related vision disorders.
Maintains Healthy Cholesterol Levels: A research study revealed that the juice from plums and prunes has health promoting properties that aid in raising the good cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and reducing the bad cholesterol, LDL cholesterol.
Improves Brain Health: Research shows that the flavonoids present in plum juice can reduce cognitive decline. This is due to the fact that these flavonoids play a role in reducing inflammation in the brain. Also research shows that this type of juice has health promoting phytonutrients that improve the neurological function of the brain thereby improving memory and learning.
Boosts Immune System: Due to its Vitamin C content it boosts the body’s immune system’s defenses against inflammation and infections. Oriental plums increase the body’s production of nitric oxide and aid in neutralizing harmful cells in the body.
Digestive Benefits: Its rich source in fiber assists in an efficiently working digestive system. It also aids in good elimination due to its sorbitol and isatin content.
Better Heart Health: Research shows that regular consumption of plums results in an improvement in circulation to the arteries of the heart. This promotes better blood flow, and an efficiently working cardiovascular system. This also reduces the risks for heart attacks and strokes.
Cancer Prevention: This fruit is abundant in antioxidants and phytonutrients. These compounds are important in stunting the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, eating plums on a regular basis can aid in cancer prevention.
if you are searching for a healthy snack to help you maintain healthy eyesight while protecting important aspects of your general health, then, plums are a good nutritional choice for keeping your eyes in good shape.