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For decades, doctors and parents alike would always tell kids to eat carrots to have a better eyesight. This mentality about carrots started to the World War and has been taken into the modern times. This famous food myth can now be debunked as scientists say that it does not really make you read better or see well.

The History

During the war times, the British Air Force has gunned down a German aircraft, allegedly through eating carrots. The U.K. Ministry of food rolled out a propaganda campaign detailing the pilots' superb carrot-enriched night vision.

As a result, the civilians ate more carrots to help them function even during blackouts. Now, the belief has been taken into the modern times, as many people still believe that eating more carrots would mean having a better eyesight, the Scientific American reports.

However, it turned out to be a mere propaganda as the Air Force was utilizing radar to locate German bombers.

Why Do People Still Need To Eat Carrots?

Despite the famous food myth has been debunked, carrots do have a hefty dose of nutritious elements that can help the body in many ways.

According to Insight Vision Center, eating carrots do help in maintaining healthy eyes due to the presence of vitamin A and lutein. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a carotenoid pigment which is an essential precursor for vitamin A. The lack of this vitamin in the body increases the risk of getting cataracts, xerophthalmia, and macular degeneration. In severe cases, it might lead to blindness.

Moreover, lutein is an essential antioxidant found in carrots. This increases the pigment density in the macula which can protect the retina, reducing the risk of macular degeneration.

Though vitamin A can't correct the vision people are born with and of course, can't give ultra-night vision, it can actually maintain vision and prevent diseases of the eyes.