Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

This Vitamin Can Help You Maintain Healthy Vision As You Age, Studies Show

Hannah Frye
Author:
November 20, 2023
Hannah Frye
Beauty & Health Editor
By Hannah Frye
Beauty & Health Editor
Hannah Frye is the Beauty & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including beauty, women’s health, mental health, sustainability, social media trends, and more. She previously worked for Almost 30, a top-rated health and wellness podcast. In her current role, Hannah reports on the latest beauty trends and innovations, women’s health research, brain health news, and plenty more.
older woman reading
Image by Studio Firma
November 20, 2023

Eye health isn't always top of mind until it has to be. Think about it—you may eat oranges to support your immune system, feed your gut with probiotic foods, or consume collagen for healthy skin aging, but what about eating for eye health?

Maybe you chomp on a few carrots, but not many people prioritize eye-enhancing nutrients. But they should!

A growing body of research shows that vitamin C can help support healthy vision as you age. Here's what to know about the all-important nutrient and how it supports your eyes with age.

What research says about vitamin C and eye health

An Ophthalmology study1 with 5,638 participants over the age of 60 in India found that vitamin C status was inversely associated with eye health concerns. Translation: The more vitamin C participants had in their body, the more likely they were to maintain healthy vision.

The overall correlation between adequate vitamin C levels and eye health may be the result of a few compounding factors. Most notably, vitamin C is found in the protective layers of the eyes. As this 2020 study2 states, "In humans, the high concentrations of vitamin C in the aqueous humor, together with its ability to absorb UV light, have led to its referral as a physiological 'sunscreen,'" researchers say.

What does this mean? Just as how the antioxidant is beloved for enhancing photoprotection in the skin, it's working hard to serve as a protective buffer for your orbs too.

In the Ophthalmology study, other antioxidants proved beneficial for eye health as well, including lutein, zeaxanthin, retinol and beta-carotene (aka vitamin A), and vitamin E. No wonder these antioxidants (plus vitamin C) are leveraged in eye health supplements on the market.

The takeaway

If you've never thought about eating for your eye health, you're not alone. One way to do just that is by consuming enough vitamin C every day, as research shows that the more vitamin C you have, the more likely you are to maintain healthy vision.

To get your daily dose, you'll want to prioritize foods rich in vitamin C and consider a targeted and bioavailable vitamin C supplement. You can also check out our guide to eye longevity for additional tips.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you. ‡ 1 serving (2 capsules) of vitamin C potency+ delivers 1,000 mg (1 g) of vitamin C. That’s equivalent to the average vitamin C content provided in 15 whole oranges per USDA nutrient analysis data.

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Health
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.