The Real Reason Eating Eggs Every Day Could Improve Your Vision

What's your favorite breakfast food? More than half of Americans prefer eggs, according to a 2019 OnePoll survey. In fact, the average American consumes about 245 of them throughout the year (per the USDA). With the many nutrients they contain and all of the fun things you can do with them, it's no wonder eggs are so popular.

Packed with about six grams of protein per egg (per Healthline), this simple ingredient can be found on countless lists of high-protein, muscle-building foods. (Perhaps this summons memories of Gaston in his red shirt, gulping down five dozen eggs to maintain his "barge" size.)

Eggs are a great choice for building and maintaining lean muscle, but did you know they can benefit your eyes, too? That's right; eating eggs on a daily basis can improve your eyesight, according to Best Health. It's not a benefit that's typically listed as a top selling point for eggs, but it should be.

Eggs have gotten a bad rap over the years thanks to their high cholesterol content, but the nutrients outweigh the risks. In addition to protein, eggs contain the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein, which benefit eye health, per a 2004 study published in the Journal of Nutrition. Because carotenoids are a type of antioxidant, they offer protection against cell damage caused by certain compounds in the body, also known as free radicals, Medical News Today explains. 

According to WebMD, studies suggest a correlation between improved eyesight and diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin and lutein are the only carotenoids located in the retina, the part of the eye responsible for visual recognition (per Healthline). In addition, the chance of eye diseases typically increases with age, according to the National Institute on Aging. But these carotenoids add an extra layer of enforcement, lowering the risk of conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, according to research published in the Annual Review of Nutrition in 2016.

Plus, it's no secret that ultraviolet rays from the sun can be harmful to the body, including the eyes, per the CDC. Zeaxanthin and lutein can aid in shielding your eyes from these and other potentially damaging high-energy light waves, per WebMD.

Scrambled, deviled, fried ... regardless of how you like them, eating eggs can improve your vision and support eye health. Keep that in mind the next time you go grocery shopping.