Colorful vegetables and fruits are rich in pigments. Among these pigments, lutein is of particular importance to the eyes because it is an important component of the macula within the retina. For the elderly, supplementing lutein not only helps prevent cataracts and macular degeneration but also improves cognitive ability and mobility.
Lutein is found in egg yolks and in many fruits and vegetables, most notably green leafy ones such as kale and spinach. Plants can synthesize lutein but the human body cannot, and can only obtain it through the intake of foods containing lutein.
Lutein intake is therefore dependent on vegetable intake, and will also vary greatly in different countries according to the prevalent eating habits. According to a 2018 Nutrients article, statistics show that most Americans, who follow a Western-style diet, consume an average of 1.7 milligrams of lutein per day, while in countries that prefer a Mediterranean diet, the amount ranges from 1.07 to 2.9 milligrams a day. In Korea, it is about 3 milligrams. In contrast, Fiji Islanders peak at about 25 milligrams a day.
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