Foods that are "visual thieves" should be avoided this summer

During the summer, the eyes can be affected by many factors such as strong sunlight, increased UV exposure, and higher temperatures and humidity. Sunlight can damage the retina and increase the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts. In addition, the use of air conditioning makes the air drier and can cause dry eyes. Dust and pollutants can also irritate the eyes, leading to conjunctivitis.

Therefore, protecting your eyes in the summer is very important. In addition to wearing sunglasses with UV protection and using artificial tears if needed, nutrition also contributes significantly to maintaining healthy eyes.

1. What should you avoid eating in the summer to protect your eyes?

If you are wondering what foods are bad for your eyes, here are some common summer foods that can negatively affect your eye health that you should avoid or consume in moderation:

- Wine

A summer beer may seem to bring a refreshing feeling to the body, but the alcohol content in the beer or wine you drink can actually impair eye health.

According to WebMD, drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of early cataracts. Cataracts, also known as cataracts, cataracts, and dry cataracts, are common in people over 50 years old. The lens is a transparent lens and plays an important role in helping the eye see objects at different distances. When exposed to sunlight, this transparent lens will help converge light to the retina, helping us see images more clearly.

Due to age, injury or disease, this lens is no longer transparent, causing a sharp decrease in vision called a cataract.

Additionally, alcohol can also cause dehydration, leading to dry eyes and other eye problems related to decreased eye lubrication.

- Caffeine

A cup of coffee is often an energizing way to start a summer morning and is a common habit for many adults. However, according to Healthline, some studies have shown that caffeinated coffee can increase intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma who regularly consume caffeine.

Caffeine can also increase levels of an amino acid called homocysteine, which has been linked to an increased risk of glaucoma. There is growing evidence that caffeine constricts blood vessels in the eye and reduces blood flow, which can impair eye health.

However, caffeine usually causes only a moderate, temporary increase in intraocular pressure and is unlikely to cause significant harm in people with healthy eyes.

- Sugary drinks

Summer and the sweetness of drinks always attract people of all ages. According to WebMD , sweetened beverages with added sugars such as soda, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks... when consumed in excess can increase the risk of inflammation in the body and this increases the risk of eye damage as well as increases the risk of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration in both adolescents and the elderly.

In addition to the common foods harmful to the eyes in the summer mentioned above, according to Medium , other foods that are not good for the eyes include:

- Fried foods

Fried foods are high in saturated fats and trans fats, which increase the risk of high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. These cholesterol molecules can travel through the retinal blood vessels to the eye, causing damage to the eye tissues and surrounding structures. Inflammation is also triggered, causing damage and complications to the eyes when eaten in excess.

- Processed foods

Processed foods are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats and low in nutrients like vitamins and minerals that are good for your eyesight. All of these factors can increase inflammation and damage your eyes.

2. What should you eat in the summer that is good for your eyesight?

According to Sohu (China), during the hot season, you should prioritize supplementing the following foods to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays and factors from high temperature environments:

- Chrysanthemum tea

Drinking chrysanthemum tea regularly can help clear heat, improve vision and help reduce eye fatigue or eye strain.

- Banana

Bananas are rich in potassium which is an essential trace element for the human body. Potassium helps excrete excess salt and avoid eye redness and swelling caused by too much salt.

- Foods rich in vitamin A

+ Tomatoes and blueberries : These two fruits are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin P, which help the body eliminate free radicals in the body thanks to their strong antioxidant effects, thereby protecting cell DNA and avoiding gene mutations, which is beneficial for eye health.

+ Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach: Especially rich in beta-carotene to help reduce eye symptoms related to light sensitivity, eye fatigue and dry eyes.

- Foods rich in antioxidants

+ Corn: The two compounds lutein and zeaxanthin found in corn have very good antioxidant effects, helping to protect the retina and eyeballs, especially suitable for people who regularly use computers or other eye activities for long periods of time.

+ Broccoli: Anthocyanin compounds rich in broccoli have strong antioxidant properties, which help enhance night vision, improve and reduce macular degeneration in the eyes.

In short, to protect your eyes in the summer, you should wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection when going out in the sun. Drink enough water, avoid long-term direct exposure to sunlight and use air conditioning in moderation so as not to cause dry eyes. You should also protect your eyes from dirt and pollutants. At the same time, limit eating foods that can harm your eyes such as sugary and alcoholic drinks, fast food and greasy foods.

If your eyes have unusual symptoms such as: Sudden changes in vision (blurred, double vision); prolonged eye pain; scratchy eyes; red eyes that do not subside after a day; Eyes have foul-smelling pus or gunk covering the eyes; sensitivity to light or seeing circles around light or any changes in color perception, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible for timely examination and treatment.