Is chocolate good for our eyes?
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While we all know too much fat and sugar is bad for our health – there can be some benefits to chocolate in moderation. And, when it comes to our eyes, dark chocolate is best.
Giles Edmonds, Specsavers clinical services director, explains: ‘As dark chocolate has higher proportions of cocoa in it, it is a much better alternative to milk and white varieties.
‘Although often still high in sugar and fat, when eaten in moderation it can be a good source of iron, copper, magnesium, zinc and also offers a range of antioxidants, flavonoids and flavone, which can be of benefit to eye health.
‘In fact, a study by a school of optometry in Texas1 showed that dark chocolate can help to improve visual perception. It revealed that consuming dark chocolate improves the ability to see low- and high-contrast targets. Copper, which is also found within dark chocolate, has also been shown to help protect against optic nerve damage2.’
Mr Edmonds adds: ‘Another vitamin which can be found in good quality dark chocolate, is vitamin A. This is a vitamin which contributes greatly to healthy eyesight. It can help us to see in low-light conditions and also supports the function of the cornea, which is the protective outer layer of the eye. Without enough vitamin A you may find that your eyes don’t produce enough moisture to stay lubricated which can often cause discomfort3.’
While evidence suggests there are some health benefits to be had with chocolate, it is important to maintain a well-balanced and healthy diet to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs.
There are six Specsavers Ópticas stores on the Costa Blanca, in Javea, Calpe, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Guardamar and La Zenia. For more information or to request an appointment at your local store, visit www.specsavers.es.
¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6145773/
² https://eyecliniclondon.com/dark-chocolate-benefits-eye-health/
³ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326758#vitamins