When we were children, our parents often told us off for not finishing our vegetables: “Eat your carrots, they’re good for your eyes!” But is it actually true that carrots improve our vision and help us see in the dark? It’s only partly true. Carrots can improve night vision, but they won’t help you see in total darkness. So where did this idea come from?
The carrot and vision myth
During the bombing campaigns of the Second World War, the greatest threat to Britain was the frequent night raids carried out by the German military. The British had to devise a plan to counter the Luftwaffe. The Royal Air Force managed to fight them off by successfully spotting German aircraft and bombers on dark and foggy nights. But how? With carrots — or so they wanted the Germans to believe…
The story was invented by the old British Ministry of Food to cover up the radar stations being used to detect German night attacks — a feat that had previously been considered impossible. Through propaganda campaigns, the British convinced the Germans that eating large quantities of carrots improved night vision. From then on, the orange root vegetable became a staple of the British diet, and children were even given carrots on sticks as a wartime alternative to ice lollies.
So, do carrots actually improve night vision?
Despite the myth, carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is important for good vision because it helps the eye convert light into signals sent to the brain, helping us to see in the dark. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness.
However, eating carrots may not improve the eyesight of a healthy person and only makes a significant difference for someone with a vitamin A deficiency. Eye problems generally stem from diabetes or age-related conditions and cannot be cured by eating carrots. In addition to vitamin A, other nutrients such as zinc, vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids are all essential for eye health. So we can say the claim that carrots improve night vision is half myth and half truth.
Other benefits of eating carrots
Packed with a wide range of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, carrots are full of nutritional goodness that can help fight various diseases.
As well as supporting vision and eye health, here’s a list of nutrients found in carrots that can help boost the immune system.
Benefits of carrots:
Pectin – A primary source of fibre, which helps reduce blood sugar levels by slowing digestion and feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
Biotin – A member of the B vitamin family, biotin plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Potassium – One of the most important minerals in our body; potassium regulates fluid retention, blood pressure, and ensures the proper functioning of muscles and nerves.
Vitamin K1 – Also known as phylloquinone, it’s found in plants such as carrots and supports bone and heart health, and is vital for blood clotting.
Beta-carotene – This red-orange pigment found in plants and fruits is rich in vitamin A and helps maintain healthy skin and eyes.
Lutein – This carotenoid related to beta-carotene, found mainly in carrots, is also known as the “eye vitamin” and plays a key role in vision health.
Carbohydrates – Sitting low on the glycaemic index, eating carrots can be beneficial for people with diabetes, and they’re also low in fat.
Packed with carotenoids, carrots are rich in antioxidants and fibre, so they’re not only good for your eyes but may also protect against several types of cancer, including colon, stomach, and prostate cancer. As well as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, carrots are effective for weight management due to their low calorie content and are widely considered one of the healthiest food choices around. And that’s a wrap, folks!
To make sure your eyes are getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need, take a look at our range of eye vitamins.