Introduction: What should cataract patients pay attention to in their diet? Wang Yi, Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Shanghai Ren'ai Hospital, explains that cataract patients can drink more tea, as tea can prevent the occurrence of cataracts. In addition, eating more foods rich in vitamin C can also inhibit the formation of cataracts.
Specific dietary considerations for cataract patients are as follows:
Drink tea regularly
Tea contains a substance called tannic acid, which has antioxidant effects. The occurrence of cataracts is caused by free radicals produced by oxidative reactions in the body acting on the lens. Therefore, regular tea consumption can prevent cataracts. Some studies have shown that drinking five cups of tea daily has a good effect in preventing the occurrence and development of cataracts.
Eat more foods rich in vitamin C
Scientific research has found that vitamin C has the effect of preventing cataract formation. The formation of cataracts is the result of long-term exposure of the lens to light and oxygen, and vitamin C can reduce the damage caused by light and oxygen to the lens, thereby preventing the occurrence and development of cataracts. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly patients with cataracts should appropriately eat more foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, jujubes, Indian medlar, fresh green vegetables, etc.
Eat more foods rich in zinc
According to research, the lens has a high content of zinc, while the zinc content in the lens of cataract patients is significantly reduced. Therefore, zinc deficiency can promote the formation of cataracts, so people with cataracts should eat more zinc-rich foods, such as herring, sardines, lean meat, peanuts, walnuts, oysters, etc.
Eat more foods rich in selenium
Scientific research has found that when the selenium content in the body is insufficient, the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the lens can significantly decrease, and the incidence of cataracts can significantly increase. Therefore, to prevent cataracts, one should appropriately eat more selenium-rich foods, such as asparagus, mushrooms, grains, fish, shrimp, etc.
Eat less foods high in cholesterol
According to research by some scholars, patients with cataracts have a higher cholesterol content in their lenses. Therefore, it is believed that the occurrence of cataracts is related to cholesterol to some extent. Therefore, foods high in cholesterol, such as egg yolks, eels, and animal offal, should be consumed in moderation.