Q: Are carrots or beta-carotene the best food or supplement for my eyes?
A: They are good, but they're not the best vegetable for good eye health. Spinach is actually better. Carrots have retinoic acid, a potent antioxidant, but lutein, which is found in leafy green vegetables like spinach, has been shown to be more important in preserving eye function and avoiding disease. So why did carrots get all the credit? It didn't happen during Bugs Bunny episodes, but actually during WWII. The British had discovered radar but didn't want the Germans to appreciate why they were so accurate in their shooting, so they started a rumor that the pilots were eating carrots. The hoax spawned lots of great cartoons. |
