Moringa benefits for eyesight.

Moringa powder is beneficial for your eyesight, as it’s packed with compounds which protect the retina and the lens of the eyes. Actually, carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E in moringa may prevent or even improve age-related macular degeneration and cataracts!

Foods which protect your eyesight

According to the American Optometric Association, we should consume foods rich in (1,2):

  • beta-carotene
  • lutein
  • zeaxanthin
  • omega 3 fatty acids
  • zinc
  • vitamin E
  • and vitamin C

Foods rich in these nutrients are important for eye health. Moreover, they can preserve your good eyesight, or even reduce the risk of certain eye diseases.

Beta-carotene in moringa protects the eyes

Moringa powder protects your eyes because it’s the richest food in beta-carotene! It contains about 28.5 mg of beta-carotene per 100g (3).

Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring plant pigment that is converted into vitamin A in the body. It’s one of the most powerful and well-studied carotenoids. Carotenoids have potent antioxidant action.

Beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (4).

Also, vitamin A is important for the proper function of the cornea; the outer layer of the eye.

Most noteworthy, beta-carotene is the primary dietary source of provitamin A. Vitamin A may protect from eye inflammation and eye infections.

There isn’t a recommended daily intake for beta-carotene, though. About 3-6 mg of beta-carotene per day is good for the eyes. Most people fail to consume this dosage, though. The average intake of beta-carotene in the U.S. is only 2.7 mg a day.

Lutein & zeaxanthin in moringa powder protects our vision

Moringa powder is also the richest food in lutein and zeaxanthin. It contains about 36 mg of lutein and 5.5 mg of zeaxanthin per 100g (5).

Lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful carotenoids with antioxidant properties. They have been linked to a reduced risk of age-related diseases. Lutein and zeaxanthin may prevent or even improve age-related macular degeneration and cataracts (6).

In fact, lutein and zeaxanthin are present in high concentrations in the eye. Especially, in the retina of the eye. Actually, the retina of the eye has the highest lutein and zeaxanthin content than any other human tissue. Lutein and zeaxanthin protect eyesight by absorbing the dangerous blue light rays. Hence, they protect the retina from phototoxic light damage (7).

Lutein and zeaxanthin are also present in the lens of the eye.

You’ll find a wide variety of moringa supplements (powders or capsules) on iHerb.

Vitamin C in moringa may protect from cataracts

Another key vitamin for eye health is vitamin C. Moringa powder may contain 270-870 mg of vitamin C per 100g. A tablespoon of moringa powder contains up to 60 mg of vitamin C, or 67% of the Daily Value.

Many studies have associated high vitamin C intakes with a decreased risk of cataracts. For better results, scientists propose the consumption of at least 300 mg of vitamin C per day.

Another study showed that people at high risk for age-related macular degeneration could delay the progression of the disease, if they increased the consumption of vitamin C, along with beta-carotene, vitamin E and zinc.

Seeds and nuts are the best sources of zinc.

Vitamin E in moringa supports good eyesight

Moringa powder is rich in vitamin E as well. It has approximately 155 mg of vitamin E per 100g. A tablespoon of moringa powder may provide up to 10.8 mg of vitamin E. That’s 72% of the DV.

Nuts (almonds, in particular), seeds, and vegetable oils are the best sources of vitamin E.

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