Are carrots good for eyesight?

Carrots and eyesight have long been linked together. Does eating carrots have anything to do with how well you can see? In researching this topic you will find a broad spectrum of answers from a definite “No” to a definite “Yes.”

One thing is certain: carrots are high in beta carotene which is turned into vitamin A by the liver and plays an important role in maintaining normal vision.(Believe it or not wolfberries have more beta carotine than carrots do!) Of course, there are many other foods high in Vitamin A including milk, cheese, eggs and liver. Foods high in vitamin C, lutein as well as other vitamins and minerals contribute to maintaining good eyesight.

Specifically, can eating carrots or other foods rich in Vitamin A improve nighttime vision? Where did that notion come from? It is true that vitamin A is transformed into a purple pigment needed for seeing at night. Also, usually the first sign of nighttime eyesight problems is a deficiency of Vitamin A. Some sources say that during World War II a rumor was spread that British bombers ate lots of carrots to improve their night vision to explain how they could pinpoint where the Nazi bombers flew thus keeping their use of radar technology secret.

One study done by Johns Hopkins’ researchers in 1998 showed that 30,000 women in South Asia who were at high risk of vitamin deficiencies had 67 percent fewer cases of night blindness when given vitamin A than that those receiving a placebo. In fact, it is found that poor vision is far more prevalent in countries where rice is the main dietary staple and carrots as well as other foods rich in vitamin A are scarce.

Whereas, many agree that taking vitamin A can reverse poor eyesight when it’s due to a deficiency, it cannot slow down the decline of vision in healthy individuals. A danger many authorities relate is that of overdosing on vitamins. For example, the USDA recommends a daily intake of 1300 micrograms of vitamin A. One carrot has 400% of that intake.

We can now understand the connection between carrots and eyesight. When there is a deficiency in vitamin A as found in carrots and many other foods, one’s eyesight (daytime and nighttime) can be adversely affected or compromised. So a balanced diet along with keeping our bodies fit is the key.