Dr. Jonathan Rubenstein, head of the ophthalmology department at Rush University Medical Center, points out that carrots can improve eyesight, but they don't work miracles and don't improve night vision.
According to the doctor, during World War II the British distributed a poster that read:
"Carrots maintain health and help with vision during power outages."
This poster was designed by the British Ministry of Supply and used as part of a military campaign to promote healthy eating. During a period of food shortages, increasing carrot consumption was a key objective .
The idea that carrots are good for eyesight still prevails today, and is partly justified, because carrots do support eye health and night vision , but their benefits are limited .
Dr. Rubenstein explained that the belief that eating too many carrots improves eyesight is incorrect. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene , which the body converts into vitamin A , but other vegetables like spinach and cabbage are also rich in beta-carotene, although their color is less pronounced due to the presence of chlorophyll.
contains two types of light-sensitive cells:
Cones : responsible for color vision and visual acuity
The canines : responsible for night and peripheral vision.
Both types of eyes need vitamin A , but the canines are particularly sensitive to its deficiency. Without vitamin A, they cannot produce sufficient amounts of rhodopsin , a light-sensitive protein. As a result, night and peripheral vision deteriorate, and night blindness may be the first sign of vitamin A deficiency, which remains a leading cause of preventable blindness, especially in children.
To avoid a vitamin A deficiency, it is sufficient to follow a balanced diet that includes foods rich in beta-carotene, noting that excessive consumption of carrots does not improve eyesight but may lead to carotenemia , a harmless condition that causes orange-yellow skin and is treatable.
The eye also needs other nutrients to support its health, such as:
Omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish
Vitamin E from nuts to reduce the risk of macular degeneration
Vitamin C from fruits provides partial protection against cataracts, especially when quitting smoking and protecting against ultraviolet radiation.
Rubenstein emphasizes that carrots alone do not cure any disease or improve eyesight ; they are simply one of the foods that support eye health. The best approach to eye health is to follow a varied and balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, and nuts.
