Diabetic retinopathy is thought to be brought on by a reduction in blood perfusion to the eye as a result of constant damage to blood vessels in the eye caused high blood glucose. For this reason tight glucose control is helpful in delaying progression of retinopathy. (1) Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy typically don’t develop until later in the disease progression, thus screening is essential to people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. (2)
Along with seeing the eye doctor eating the right nutrients can delay the progression of diabetic neuropathy. Eye health depends on vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. In people with type 2 diabetes those with higher concentrations of the pigments lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene had a 66% reduction in the risk for retinopathy. (3) These phytonutrients are found in varying degrees in different fruits and vegetables along the color spectrum. (4) With colorful diet rich with reds, oranges, yellows and greens will ensure you are getting of the right eye nutrients.
Ravishing Reds: tomatoes, sweet red peppers, guava, papaya, watermelon, raspberries and strawberries!
Yell out for Yellow/Orange: Corn, sweet potato, orange peppers, carrot, butternut squash, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and mango!
Go for Green: kiwi, green grapes, broccoli, kale, spinach, chard, Brussels sprout and mustard greens!
Increasing the red/orange/yellow/green fruits and vegetables in your diet can benefit your eyes and also help with other health goals, as they are low in calories, nutrient dense, full of fiber and naturally delicious.
