It is more common to hear how carrots are of immense benefits to the eyes. But you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that boiled eggs also offer a lot of benefits to the human eyes, and are not just there for you to enjoy a satisfying breakfast.
The days when eggs are a must for children is fast eroding as people of all ages can consume them at will, thanks to the health benefits they proffer. Eggs are an excellent source of nutrition and provide the needed protein for the proper functioning of the human body.
One egg holds about 13 grams of proteins, and when you eat eggs on a regular basis, it prevents eye-related health issues, the most common of which is cataracts.
The yellow part of eggs contains the same pigment that protects your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. The human eye has a section known as the retina which consists of a layer of cells that are sensitive to light. These light-sensitive cells make it possible for us to see objects.
These cells are densely packed in a region called the macula; this is the region that is concerned with highly-focused, central vision. Studies have shown that these cells begin to die off, especially in people who are 65 years of age and above due, in some measure to the destructive effects of ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Such a condition is called macular degeneration and makes driving, reading, recognizing people or faces impossible or more difficult.
But, how do boiled eggs protect your eyes, you ask? Clinical evidence shows that when you increase the number of antioxidants in your regular diet, it has a protective effect on your body. The pigments in eggs contain two antioxidants – zeaxanthin and lutein – and are responsible for the yellow hue of egg yolks.
These pigments are also created in leaves and can be found in plant-based foods such as corn, spinach, and peppers. But research has shown that the human body readily absorbs these antioxidants in eggs, and this could be connected to the fact that they are contained within a fat-based matrix together with other nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, and E.
But eggs contain a high level of cholesterol, or don’t they? Yes, that is true; in fact, the presence of cholesterol made nutritionists recommend that adults should not consume more than three eggs every week. However, in a study that was conducted at the University of Massachusetts in 2006, patients were given one egg to consume every day for five days within a week.
It was found that the levels of both zeaxanthin and lutein in their blood have increased significantly. The researchers went ahead to measure the amount of cholesterol in the patients’ blood, but surprisingly, the level of cholesterol was not affected.
Therefore, apart from having your eyes checked regularly and protecting your eyes from the sun, you should eat plenty of vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Of course, you should also add more eggs to your diet to protect your eyes from macular degeneration.
However, make sure you consult your doctor to determine just how many eggs you should consume every week as this depends on your general health and lifestyle.
