Oct. 31, 2018
Pumpkins are not only good for carving and baking pies; they’re also good for your eyes, according to reporting by The Financial.
Pumpkin, a carotenoid, is rich in nutrients linked to eye and overall health, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Four years ago, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked “powerhouse fruits and vegetables” based on nutrient density scores, pumpkin came in No. 20 out of 41-below broccoli, but ahead of Brussels sprouts. (Watercress ranked No. 1.)
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Consuming these super-foods is “strongly associated” with reducing risks for chronic diseases.
“Pumpkin, that fall favorite fruit, contains vitamins A, C and E, zinc, fiber, lutein and zeaxanthin-which are all beneficial to the eyes,” Georgia Air National Guard Lt. Col. Jennifer Carver, OD, told The Financial. Dr. Carver also has a culinary and baking/pastry degree, and often speaks to her patients about basic nutrition.
According to the CDC, 4 in 10 children, and fewer than 1 in 7 adults, eat the daily recommended amounts of fruit. So, time to start the nutrition conversation with your patients!
