Nutrition Experts
Question:
Is it true that carrots promote good eyesight?
Answer:
Eating carrots can't correct your vision if you need glasses, but they are rich in beta carotene—an important nutrient for eye health.
Beta carotene (which the body converts to vitamin A) promotes normal vision and helps you see in the dark. Other orange foods such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe also supply beta carotene.
Beta carotene is in the family of phytonutrients (healthy plant compounds) called "carotenoids." Two other carotenoids—lutein and zeaxanthin—may also promote eye health by helping to prevent or reverse macular degeneration, a deterioration of the retina that causes a blind spot or blurriness in the central area of vision. However, more research is needed on the potential role of these carotenoids.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in dark greens such as kale, collards and spinach, corn, citrus fruits and eggs.
There's also some evidence that getting plenty of vitamin C from foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries and red peppers may reduce the risk for cataracts.
So, yes, eat carrots to help keep your eyes healthy, but also eat a wide variety of other colorful fruits and veggies for their potential benefits, too.
Nutritionist Experts
Our Nutrition Experts are registered dietitians who hold master's degrees and are members of the American Dietetic Association and several specialty nutrition groups. They combine over 40 years experience in food and nutrition science, communications and counseling, the culinary arts and the development of nutrition education materials. They are quoted frequently in the national media and have written about nutrition for many major magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.
