Can Donghancai (Winter Cold Vegetable) protect vision?

Donghancai usually refers to Malva verticillata L. Under normal circumstances, Malva verticillata L. has a certain auxiliary function in protecting vision, but one cannot solely rely on Donghancai to maintain eye health. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Malva verticillata L. contains nutrients such as carotene and vitamin A, which are beneficial for eye health. Carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the human body. Vitamin A is an essential substance for maintaining retinal function and keeping the surface of the eye healthy. Appropriate intake can help alleviate eye fatigue and assist in protecting vision. In addition, Malva verticillata L. also contains other vitamins and minerals, providing comprehensive nutritional support for the body.

However, eye health is affected by various factors such as eye usage habits, environmental factors, and heredity, so relying solely on consuming Malva verticillata L. cannot fully protect vision. Moreover, excessive consumption of Malva verticillata L. may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomforts such as abdominal distension and indigestion. Therefore, it is important to control the amount consumed when eating it.

Malva verticillata L. is best consumed together with other foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as spinach and corn, to better assist in protecting vision. In daily life, it is necessary to develop scientific eye usage habits and avoid prolonged close-range eye use in order to more effectively maintain healthy vision.