Nutrients found in vegetables, such as vitamin, phytochemicals, carotenoids and minerals, can help shoppers focus on eye health more clearly. An article in the Hindustan Times said the more colorful the vegetable, the more health benefits it provides.

These colors come from phytochemicals, said the article. These compounds,found in lettuce, carrots, beetroot and bell peppers, help reduce free radical damage and oxidation to DNA, which can lead to such health problems as cancer, heart disease and cataracts.

While the article said vitamins A, E and riboflavin (B2) are the predominate nutrients helpful for eye health, foods can offer a variety of nutrients that help the eyes. Lettuce, has a high amount of magnesium, lutein and vitamins A and B complex. Lutein protects against free radicals, and vitamin A helps the viewing of objects in dim light.

Green beans, they noted, are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, protein and manganese, and carrot offer more than a day’s requirement of vitamin A. Vitamin A is known to prevent cataract and protect the eyes from blindness associated with macular degeneration. All varieties of bell peppers contain the carotenoid zeaxanthin and vitamin C, which both help the macula, the screen on which the images captured by the eye are focused. To round out the plant kingdom, the article said colorful fruits and vegetables  contain anthocyanosides, which are great for eye health. The darker the plant, the more anthocyanosides it contains, said the article.

Lastly, the article mentioned sunflower seeds for its vitamin E content.