Fact Check: Can consuming fennel seeds and almonds before sleep increase eyesight?
A recent Instagram post claims that the consumption of fennel and almonds before sleep increases eyesight and say goodbye to blurry vision. This claim is Mostly False.
Claim
In an Instagram post, the user claims that the consumption of fennel before sleep increases eyesight. In the Instagram post by knowledges4you, the user states that consuming fennel before sleep increases eyesight. The user advised to eat 2 almonds with one spoon of fennel seeds, and good results will start coming in a few days. The user in the description states that get ready to wake up to sharper vision and start your bedtime routine with a unique combination of fennel and almonds. The user further advised to eat 2 almonds with one spoon of fennel before going to bed and experience the benefits in just a few days. The user ended by giving a message to say goodbye to blurry vision and hello to a clearer view.
The post has 506 likes and can be assessed here.
Fact Check
This claim is Mostly False. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that eating fennel and almonds specifically before bedtime has any impact on improving vision. While the nutrients in these foods are beneficial for overall eye health, but their specific impact on vision improvement, especially in the short term, is not well-documented.
What is blurred vision?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology defines blurriness as a visual condition that causes difficulty seeing clearly or sharply. (1)
According to The American Optometric Association, blurred vision is caused by astigmatism (it occurs when either the front surface of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye has mismatched curves). It occurs when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is unevenly shaped, or when the lens inside the eye curves. (2)
Causes of Blurred Vision
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, states that blurriness, is associated with the presence of various diseases or infections in the eyes. Some of the diseases that are associated with blurriness include: (1)
Adie’s Pupil –It is a neurological disorder that affects the nervous system. In this, there is an abnormal pupillary response to light. Blurry vision, light sensitivity and difficulty in reading are the symptoms of Adie's Pupil.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – It is a problem with the retina. It is a common eye condition that can lead to vision loss, it happens when a part of the retina called the macula is damaged.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma- It is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It happens when the fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. The extra fluid that builds up increases the pressure in the eyes and damages the optic nerve.
Black eye – Black eye (Bruising around the eye) occurs due to an injury to the face or head. Swelling and dark bruising in the tissue occur due to the collection of blood and other fluids in the space around the eyes.
Cataract – It occurs when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy. The proteins in the lens break down and cause things to look blurry, hazy or less colorful. The symptoms include blurry vision, seeing double, being extra sensitive to light, and seeing bright colors as faded or yellow instead.
Diabetic Retinopathy- It is an eye disease caused by diabetes. Diabetes affects the eyes, damaged blood vessels, formation of new abnormal damaged blood vessels causing vision loss. The symptoms include blurry vision, having poor night vision, losing vision and noticing colors appear faded or washed out.
Glaucoma- It is a disease that damages the eye's optic nerves. It happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eyes. The extra fluid which formed increases the pressure in the eye and damages the optic nerve.
Fungal Keratitis- It is an infection of the cornea. It develops quickly from an eye injury or the usage of a contact lens. If it is not treated then it causes blindness. In some cases, treatment cannot restore vision. In these cases, permanent vision impairment or blindness may occur.
Health Benefits of Fennel seeds
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a type of herb belonging to the Apiaceae family and 50% of its seeds contain fiber. Fennel commonly known as saunf has various pharmacological effects, including anti-allergic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-stress, and cytotoxicity activity. (3)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture states, 100g of fennel seeds include 345kcal, 15.8g protein, 52.3 g carbohydrate, 14.9g total fat, 39.8g total dietary fiber, 1200mg calcium, 18.5mg iron, 385mg magnesium, 487mg phosphorus, 1690mg potassium, and 88mg sodium. (4)
Nutritional Benefits of Almonds
Almonds (Prunus dulcis Miller D. A. Webb), a member of the Rosaceae family, is a nutrient-dense food. Almonds contain around 50% fats, 25% proteins, and 20% carbs, as well as a low moisture content and a variety of minor beneficial components. They're high in protein, fiber, vitamin E, calcium, copper, magnesium, and riboflavin. They also include iron, potassium, zinc, and B vitamins such as niacin, thiamine, and folate. (5)
According to the US Department of Agriculture, 100g of almonds include 579kcal, 21.2g protein, 49.9g fat, 12.5g fiber, 3.71mg iron, 270mg magnesium, 733mg potassium, 3.12mg zinc, 1.03mg copper, 3.62mg niacin and 1.14 mg riboflavin. (6)
Can consumption of fennel and almonds increase eyesight?
The nutrients present in fennel seeds and almonds are beneficial for overall health (3),(5), but we could not find any scientific research or evidence that demonstrates that these foods have a specific impact on vision improvement within a few days.
A study conducted by Shamkant B Badgujar et.al, published in BioMed Research International discusses the various health benefits of fennel, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While it mentions traditional uses of fennel, including for eye health, it does not provide direct evidence of its effectiveness in treating blurred vision. (7)
Almonds are rich in vitamin E and are known for their eye health benefits. Showing the benefits of Vitamin E on eye health, an article by William G Christen et.al, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, discusses the role of vitamin E, Vitamin C, β-carotene, and zinc in reducing the risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) ( a common eye condition that can lead to vision loss). It provides evidence that vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin contribute to eye health by slowing the progression of AMD, which is a leading cause of blurred vision in older adults. (8)
Speaking to Health Dialogues Fact Check Team, Dt. Charu Dua, Chief Clinical Nutritionist, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said, " Fennel seeds and almonds have been traditionally associated with various health benefits, including improving vision, but the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited". She then explained about the fennel seeds and vision and said, "Fennel seeds are rich in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and various antioxidants, which are essential for eye health. These nutrients can contribute to overall eye health by:
Vitamin A: Important for maintaining good vision, particularly in low light conditions.
Antioxidants: Help protect the eyes from oxidative stress, which can contribute to age-related eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.
However, while fennel seeds are nutrient-dense, there is no strong scientific evidence specifically linking the consumption of fennel seeds to significant improvements in vision. Most of the support for this claim comes from traditional practices and anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous scientific studies". She further explained about the almonds and vision and said that "almonds are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant known to protect the eyes from oxidative stress. Some studies suggest that a diet rich in vitamin E could help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common eye condition that can lead to vision loss in older adults. While almonds benefit overall eye health due to their vitamin E content, there is no specific evidence that eating two almonds before bed will lead to a noticeable improvement in vision.
Scientific Evidence: There is limited direct scientific evidence that eating fennel seeds and two almonds before bed will significantly improve vision. The nutrients in these foods are beneficial for overall eye health, but their specific impact on vision improvement, especially in the short term, is not well-documented.
Traditional Practices: The recommendation likely stems from traditional health practices suggesting that these foods can support eye health over time".
Scientific evidence was found about the benefits of fennel seeds and almonds, as they are highly nutritious and beneficial for overall eye health, but no scientific evidence or medical consensus was found that consumption of fennel seeds and almonds before sleep increases eyesight and improve blurry vision within few days.
What do Experts say?
Speaking to Health Dialogues Team, Dr Sarvana Consultant – Ophthalmology, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, explained that, "any source of carotene-rich Vitamin A foods such as carrots, fennel seeds, etc, as well as other vitamins like Vitamin E in sunflower oil, almonds, fish & omega-3 fatty acids in nuts, salmon & plant oils, are good for the general health of the eye". He further explained that green leafy vegetables help in maintain the good health of various organs including the eyes. "However, there is no direct scientific evidence to say that eating nutritious food maintains good eyesight or cures eyesight-related problems. So, one needs to eat healthy foods but consult your doctor for any specific problems related to poor eyesight for further care", he added
The Health Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr Sukanya Meikandasivam, Consultant – Ophthalmology, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru responded to the claim that, "as a supportive nutrient, fennel seeds and almonds are good for eyesight. However, no clear-cut scientific studies in humans to prove that they directly increase eyesight. They are a part of a good balanced diet. Fennel seeds are rich in beta-carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A and helps in dim or night vision. Also rich in potassium which aids in clear vision. Almonds are rich in vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids and are natural antioxidants that aids in good eyesight".
Health Dialogues Final Take:
Fennel and almonds contain nutrients that support eye health such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E but they do not directly enhance vision or correct eyesight issues within a few days. Relying solely on these foods for eye health may lead to unrealistic expectations and could overshadow the importance of comprehensive eye care practices, including regular eye examination, proper eye hygiene, and a balanced diet. Hence, the claim consumption of fennel seeds and almonds before sleep increases eyesight and improves vision in a few days is Mostly False.
References
1 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/symptoms/blurriness-2
2 https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions?sso=y
3 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2023.2192436
4 https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171323/nutrients
5 https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/3/672
6 https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170567/nutrients
7 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2014/842674
8 https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)27909-5/fulltext#%20