Ever see a rabbit wearing glasses? Carrots and Your Health

By Carol DiPirro • May 23rd, 2011 • 5752 Views

I’m sure most of you remember being told to eat your carrots to help your vision right? I’ve been wearing glasses since the age of 6 so it’s ingrained in my memory!  How did this story come about? Well, it seems that in World War II, Britain's air ministry spread the word that a diet of carrots (already known to be a good source of Vitamin A, essential for healthy eyesight) helped pilots see Nazi bombers attacking at night. That was a propaganda story originating from Britain's Ministry of Food, intended to cover the real reason for the Royal Air Force's successes: Airborne Interception Radar, also known as AI. This secret system pinpointed enemy bombers before they reached the English Channel. Apparently the motive was twofold — it also encouraged folks to eat more vegetables (that could be grown in their own ‘Victory Garden’) during ration time, when meat and imports were scarce. 

Can eating carrots really improve your eyesight?

Sorry Mom, but the answer is no! They can, however, help to keep your eyes healthy and not deteriorate as quickly. Both vitamin A and beta-carotene are known to lower the risk of eye disease, hence the carrot's association with eyesight. The University of Wisconsin has developed a variety of carrots that contains 3 to 5 times more vitamin A than the average carrot. Named the Beta III, it was bred especially for growing in countries suffering from severe vitamin A deficiency and epidemic blindness.

Carrots are also good sources of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin K, biotin, fiber, potassium and thiamine. Here are other health benefits of carrots:

Heart Disease

 The body can only change so much beta-carotene into Vitamin A and any excess boosts the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant in its own right.  Antioxidants prevent free radical damage to cells, tissues and most importantly to the fat in our bloodstream that can lead to blocked arteries and heart disease. Studies show that people who eat carotene-rich foods have lower risk of heart disease and arthritis. .Also, it is believed that regular consumption of carrots reduces cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber in carrots can help lower blood cholesterol levels by binding with and removing bile acids, cholesterol triggers would be pulled out from the bloodstream to make more bile acids.

Diarrhea
Carrot soup has been found an effective natural remedy for diarrhea. It supplies fluid to combat dehydration, replenishes...

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Location:  New York, US

About Carol DiPirro: Carol has been passionate about cooking, nutrition and healthy eating since she was a child, baking her first eggless cake from scratch at 8 yrs old. Growing up in an Italian family, clean healthy...