See clearly with CARROTS

They might not actually help you to see in the dark, but carrots could be effective in maintaining good eyesight. They contain pigments called carotenoids, two of which – lutein and zeaxanthin – are thought to help protect the retina from damage caused by UV light. One study found that people who ate the most lutein and zeaxanthin were 40 per cent less likely to have advanced age-related macular degeneration, a disease of the eyes that causes blindness. They are also rich in beta-carotene, from which the body makes vitamin A – essential to good vision. GROW YOUR OWN No vegetable patch? Grow carrots in large pots instead. Opt for shorter, rounder varieties, such as ‘Early Nantes’, which don’t need deep soil. Purple varieties come with even more health-boosting polyphenols.