As the legend goes: eating carrots is good for your eyes. Like most of us, you probably heard it as a kid as an incentive to eat more vegetables - you may even tell it to your own kids nowadays!
Is it a fact or myth? We’re here to cut to the core of this vision-ary wonder-vegetable…
The Truth About Carrots
The body utilises beta-carotene to produce the essential Vitamin A, which carrots are packed full of. Not only are carrots good for lowering cholesterol, maintaining healthy gut bacteria (hello fibre!), and yes, improving vision. Vitamin A works to assist light conversion signals from the eye to the brain, which increases your ability to see better in low light. In fact, reports show that people who are severely undernourished have seriously impeded night vision.
How Many Carrots Do I Need to Eat?
Don’t expect magic to spring from consuming crazy amounts of carrots – no amount of this vegetable is going to give you the superpower of night vision! However, by increasing your intake of carrot, you will support the bodily production of Vitamin A. Better again, you can take beta-carotene and/or Vitamin A supplements to boost your isolated levels and reap the benefits of improved vision.
Eating excessive amounts of carrots will not dramatically improve your eyesight, but it also won’t harm or disrupt your body. Any excess beta-carotene will not be converted into Vitamin A, which is the body’s natural inventory response.
We recommend eating carrots as part of your daily meal routine, as well as a variety of other vegetables, dark leafy greens, oily fish, nuts, fruits, legumes and grains to support a diet that is healthy for your body, mind and eyes.
And as always, the best way to keep your eyes in top shape is to get them checked regularly. Chat to us today about getting your eyes tested from the comfort of your very own home.
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Zephyr Medical is a bulk-billed mobile optometry clinic, servicing the South-East Queensland and Northern NSW regions. Our team is dedicated to providing patients with comprehensive services to benefit their eye health in the comfort of their home or workplace. Get in touch with us today to book an optometrist appointment that suits your schedule.
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