A recent study found that eating more lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli, among other things, helped ameliorate early functional abnormalities of the central retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in some fruits like mangoes, papayas, and cherries. The same study showed that people who ate less than one-half cup of dark green vegetables per day had significantly worse vision than those who ate more. It also revealed that those who ate fewer than four servings of fruit per week had significantly worse vision than those who ate more. Fruit is full of vitamin C and potassium, both of which help produce healthy eyesight. Foods that are high in zinc such as oysters, crabmeat, whole grains, and beans may play a role in protecting against macular degeneration. Studies have shown that zinc levels in the blood are low in people with macular degeneration. Eating these foods regularly may help provide extra zinc needed by the body to prevent or slow down the progression of this disease. Folate, B12, and B6 are also nutrients that may help prevent macular degeneration. These vitamins are found in many foods including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, and nuts.