Lutein is a yellow compound found only in plants, which produce it to absorb light. We can get lutein by eating foods like kale and spinach. It is also present in egg yolk. Zeaxanthin, another yellow compound similar to lutein, is found in such foods as corn, yellow bell peppers and saffron. Meso-zeaxanthin is not generally found in food sources, though it can be found in some fish. It is created in the retina from ingested lutein. It can be taken in supplements made with marigold extracts.

As for carrots, it turns out that it’s the leafy green bits on the top that contain the key compounds beneficial to eyesight, rather than the vegetable itself. So next time you’re told carrots help you see in the dark, save them for the rabbit and chop up some kiwi instead!

词汇表 kale （蔬菜）羽衣甘蓝

to degenerate 下降，衰退

supplement 补充物，补充片剂

chemical 化学品

vision 视力

retina 视网膜

tissue 组织

macula 视网膜黄斑

pigment 色素

lutein 叶黄素

zeaxanthin 玉米黄素

meso-zeaxanthin 消旋玉米黃素

sight loss 失明

compound 化合物

saffron 藏红花

to ingest 摄取

marigold extract 万寿菊提取物

测验与练习 1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. True or false? Eating yellow and green vegetables can be harmful to your eyesight. 

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