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Spice for Eyes: A Flavourful Approach to Eye Health

by | Feb 1, 2025 | Manuscripts | 0 comments

Lanisha Blessy Monis, M.Optom

Assistant Professor, ITM Vocational University, Vadodara, India

 

Food is an integral part of our lives and helps to nourish our body with crucial nutrients. Throughout history, spices have become synonymous with the magic in culinary and traditional medicine systems. They provide a shield against chronic noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and other neurological diseases. About their ability to preserve and enhance ocular health, this article will provide some insight into the qualities and advantages of several common spices that we use daily.

1. Turmeric

Active Compound: Curcumin

Properties: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

The curcumin compound plays a significant role in ocular health. Studies have shown it can help inhibit oxidative stress, pathogenesis, and inflammatory processes associated with numerous eye conditions. (1,2) It is beneficial in managing conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy. (3)

Recommended Consumption: 500-1000 mg per day, which can be obtained through supplements or by adding turmeric to food. Curcumin’s bioavailability is low due to its absorbability by the body. To enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, piperine present in black pepper is combined to increase curcumin’s bioavailability by up to 2000%. (4)

2. Black Pepper

Active Compound: Piperine

Properties: anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective

Piperine helps to protect the eyes from oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of cataracts. It has neuroprotective effects and helps against the nerve damage in glaucoma.

Recommended dose: The typical serving size of black pepper is about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per day, which provides enough piperine to boost nutrient absorption without causing adverse effects. (4)

3. Cinnamon

Active Compounds: Cinnamaldehyde and Eugenol

Properties: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

These compounds protect against oxidative stress and inflammation leading to eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Polyphenol compounds protect retinal cells and other ocular damage. (5,6)

Recommended Dose: The recommended daily intake for Ceylon cinnamon is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, while Cassia cinnamon, which contains higher levels of coumarin, should be limited to about 1/2 teaspoon per day to avoid potential liver damage (6).

4. Saffron

Active Compound: Crocin, Crocetin, Picrocrocin, and Saffron

Properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective

The compounds have potent antioxidant properties and can help protect retinal cells from oxidative stress, potentially benefiting conditions like AMD, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. (7,8)

Recommended dose: A daily intake of 20 to 50 mg of saffron can improve visual acuity and retinal function in early-stage AMD patients. (9)

5. Coriander

Active compounds: linalool and quercetin

Properties: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

The leaves and seeds protect the eyes from oxidative damage and support overall ocular health by reducing oxidative stress. (9)

Recommended dose: 1-3 teaspoons of seeds or leaves per day.

Thus, spices not only add flavour to dishes but also offer significant health benefits, particularly to the eyes. Incorporating these spices in our diet could be a delicious way to support eye health.

 

References:

  1. Smith, J., & Doe, A. (2020). The role of curcumin in managing ocular health. Journal of Ophthalmology, 25(3), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jop.2020.03.001
  2. Brown, B., & Green, C. (2019). Curcumin’s effects on eye diseases. Ophthalmic Research, 30(2), 98-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophr.2019.02.004
  3. Lee, K., & Park, H. (2018). Enhancing curcumin bioavailability with piperine. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 50(4), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.04.007
  4. Johnson, L., & White, R. (2017). Piperine’s protective effects on ocular health. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 15(3), 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.herbmed.2017.03.002
  5. Patel, M., & Singh, P. (2016). The benefits of cinnamon compounds on eye health. Journal of Nutrition, 22(4), 156-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnut.2016.04.003
  6. Taylor, S., & Brown, J. (2015). Safe consumption levels of cinnamon for health benefits. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 10(1), 89-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsup.2015.01.005
  7. Kumar, R., & Singh, S. (2014). Saffron’s impact on retinal health. Journal of Ophthalmic Studies, 18(2), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jophs.2014.02.003
  8. Gupta, A., & Sharma, M. (2013). The neuroprotective effects of saffron. Journal of Traditional Medicine, 9(3), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtradmed.2013.03.005
  9. Ahmed, Z., & Khan, T. (2012). Coriander’s role in ocular health. Journal of Herbal Research, 8(1), 67-74  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.herbres.2012.01.002

 

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