What role do the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, abundant in watercress, play in protecting the eyes from damage incurred by modern screen exposure?
They function as essential shields specifically protecting the eyes from damage incurred by exposure to blue light.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are specific carotenoids found in notable quantities within watercress, and they are vital for maintaining long-term vision health. These compounds perform the critical function of acting as essential shields within the eye structure. Specifically, they are crucial for protecting the eyes from damage caused by exposure to blue light, which is emitted extensively by digital screens used daily for work and entertainment. Beyond this immediate protective role against blue light, regular consumption of these carotenoids through foods like watercress has also been correlated with a lower incidence of developing serious age-related vision impairments later in life, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
