World Sight Day. Yerba mate vs. vitamins and minerals beneficial for vision

World Sight Day celebration that takes place every year on the second Thursday of October. It is a great opportunity to explore the topic of eye health and learn about natural ways to support our vision. It turns out that by drinking yerba mate, we can provide ourselves with valuable vitamins and minerals needed for proper eye function! Let's take a closer look at this fascinating link between yerba mate and eye health.

Summary:

1. Why take care of your eyesight?
2. Yerba mate and eye health: what's hidden in the mate cup?
3. Yerba mate and eye protection. Practical tips

Why take care of your eyesight?

Sight is one of the most important human senses. Every day, our eyes are exposed to the negative effects of a number of external factors:

• too little sleep,
• exposure to blue light from device screens,
• UV radiation,
• air pollution,
• prolonged computer work.

All this weakens the organ of vision and can impair its functioning. This is why it is important to consciously look after the health of our eyes. One way of doing this may be to include drinks rich in vision-supporting nutrients, such as yerba mate, in the diet.

Yerba mate and eye health: what's hidden in the mate cup?

Yerba mate has been prized for its health-promoting properties for centuries. It has long been known to be a real treasure trove of vitamins and minerals. This is one of the main reasons for its superiority over coffee, which, unlike mate tea, leaches some substances from the body. Just as valuable as the other well-known properties of the brew turns out to be the effect of yerba mate on eye health. Let's take a closer look at what vitamins and minerals valuable for eye health are contained in yerba mate.

Yerba mate and vitamin A – the key to healthy eyes

One of the most important components of yerba mate in terms of eye health is vitamin A. Often referred to as the “vitamin of youth”, it plays a key role in maintaining good eyesight. Its tasks are:

• neutralisation of free radicals,
• supporting renewal of the eye epithelial tissue,
• preservation of the normal structure and function of the organ of vision.

Drinking yerba mate regularly can help replenish vitamin A levels in the body, which translates into better condition of our eyes.

Yerba mate and vitamin E – protection against “ageing” of the eyes

Another valuable ingredient in yerba mate is vitamin E. Its action in the context of eye health is:

• preventing the death of cells forming ocular tissues,
• prolonging the action of vitamin A,
• protection against oxidative stress.

As a result, yerba mate can support the protection of vision and delay the ageing process of the cells responsible for the proper functioning of vision.

B vitamins – support for the optic nerve

Yerba mate is also rich in B vitamins, which play an important role in the functioning of the nervous system, including the optic nerve. Their tasks in this regard are:

• support for optic nerve function,
• supplying the eyeball with nutrients,
• prevention of light hypersensitivity and watering eyes.

A deficiency of B vitamins can lead to vision problems, so regular consumption of yerba mate can be beneficial for eye health.

In addition to the above-mentioned vitamins A, E and B, it is also worth mentioning vitamin C, a source of which is also found in an infusion of Ilex paraguariensis. Vitamin C not only supports the general immunity of the body, it also has an impact on the functioning of vision – it regulates the production of tear fluid, which is a protection of the eyeball against external factors. In addition to vitamins, yerba mate also contains a number of valuable minerals, among which zinc and selenium are particularly important in the context of today's topic – yerba mate and eyesight. Both protect the eyes from oxidative stress, which translates into not only correct, but also comfortable vision.

Yerba mate and eye protection. Practical tips

To maximise the potential of yerba mate in protecting your eyesight, it is worth following a few simple rules. Firstly, drink yerba mate regularly. Include it in your daily diet and make the most of its wonderful properties. Secondly, choose high quality yerba mate, from proven sources, such as organic mate tea Soul Mate.

Remember, too, that while yerba mate can be a valuable support for eye health, it should not be treated as a miracle cure. The South American infusion of Ilex paraguariensis is not a substitute for pharmacological treatment – it can only be considered as a dietary supplement. When choosing yerba mate as a dietary support, the best results can be achieved by combining it with other eye care practices:

• regular eye examinations,
• a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables,
• eye protection against UV radiation (sunglasses),
• adequate amount of sleep,
• limiting the time spent in front of screens,
• eye exercises and relaxation techniques

Yerba mate, with its rich composition of vitamins and minerals, can be a valuable support for the health of our eyes. Its regular consumption can help to provide the body with the substances necessary for the proper functioning of the organ of vision. However, remember that mate is not a substitute for professional eye care. If you are experiencing any problems related to your eyesight or if you have noticed that your eyesight has started to deteriorate, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Yerba mate can be a great addition to a healthy lifestyle and eye care, but it should not be considered a substitute for professional medical care.

World Sight Day is the perfect opportunity to start new healthy habits. Why not start your yerba mate adventure today and discover its potential in taking care of your eye health?

Source of information:

1. Wikipedia: Mate (infusión), World Sight Day.
2. C.I. Heck, E.G. De Mejia, Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): A Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Health Implications, and Technological Considerations, Journal of Food Science, 2007.