Eating dark green vegetables linked to lower myopia risk in children: Survey

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) Children who eat two bowls of dark green vegetables daily have a 30 percent lower risk of developing myopia compared to those who eat fewer or none, according to a year-long survey of more than 25,000 elementary school students across Taiwan.

The survey, conducted by the Cancer Care Foundation from February 2024 to January 2025, collected valid responses from students in grades 3 to 6 at over 800 schools in 10 cities and counties. It found a strong connection between diet, outdoor activity and children's vision health.

Key findings

Consuming two bowls daily of dark green vegetables such as spinach, Chinese kale and garland chrysanthemum was linked to a 30 percent reduced risk of myopia, the survey showed.

It also showed that children who regularly spent at least 120 minutes outdoors daily had a 10 to 20 percent lower risk compared to those with less outdoor time.

Hualien and Taitung counties recorded the lowest myopia rates in the survey, 25.8 percent and 14.9 percent respectively, possibly due to higher levels of greenery that help eyes focus on distant objects more often.

The study also found that myopia risk increases with age and that girls are 1.1 times more likely than boys to develop the condition. Experts attribute this partly to girls entering puberty earlier, a period when the eyeball elongates rapidly.

Nationally, the myopia rate among schoolchildren has surpassed 40 percent, the survey showed.

Expert insights

Dietitian Hsu Pei-yu (徐佩瑜) said dark green vegetables contribute essential nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, which help protect eyes from damage.

Hsu added that the vegetables that should be eaten are kale, spinach, Chinese kale, garland chrysanthemum, choy sum, green chili and green bell peppers.

She also recommended orange and red vegetables like carrots and red or yellow peppers for additional protection.

Furthermore, Hsu advised cooking vegetables with quality edible oils to boost the absorption of key nutrients.