As summer approaches, many of us are busy with our vegetable gardens. I was reading in the July 2016 issue of the magazine "Life Extension," and there were several articles on the health promoting properties of fresh vegetables. We all know that vitamin-C will prevent scurvy. Researchers have found that chemicals in spinach called carotenoids (lutein/zeaxanthin) can reduce macular degeneration caused by aging. Another article in the Journal of Nutrition (March 1, 2016) has found that chemicals in broccoli (chopped or steamed) called sulforaphane, reduced the risk of fatty liver disease and liver cancer. In the Journal Ophthalmology researchers found that consuming high amounts of vitamin-C could slow the progression of cataracts. The Journal Nutrition Research found that people with high levels of lycopene another carotenoid (gives tomatoes and watermelons their red color) reduced one's risk of dying by 33%. Another article found that the spice saffron from the Crocus sativus flower improves visual acuity. They used a dose of 20 mg per day over an 11-month period and the average visual acuity improved by two lines on the Snellen test chart! A flavonoid (Cyanidin-3-glucoside or C3G) found in many fresh berries was beneficial in improving night vision.  These are many good reasons to grow our own vegetables organically.