This is why you were told Carrots help us see in the dark.

Why did we grow up being told that carrots help us see in the dark? 👁 🥕 The answer is because carrots are rich in Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin found in animal founds such as liver, fish oil, eggs 🍳 , dairy, and some margarines have Vitamin A added. Vitamin A is also found in brightly coloured vegetables and also some fruit ( oranges 🍊, apricots)

When absorbed in the gut, Vitamin A is converted into different forms, which have certain purposes in different cellular locations. When Vitamin A is converted to retinol it aids in growth and reproduction. In the form of retinal, Vitamin A aids with vision,. As retinoid acid, it aids in cell differentiation, growth and embryonic development (hence why pregnant or breastfeeding women have an increased need for Vitamin A). Lastly, Vitamin A is stored in its ester form.

Signs of Vitamin A deficiency include visual impairment; night blindness or abnormalities of the cornea and conjuctivia i.e. bitots spot (white spots), xerosis (dry hard conjuctivia), xerophthalmia (dry eye) or pus in the eye.

The recommended daily intake of Vitamin A for NZ Aduls is 900μg for males and 700μg for females. (1 carrot is exceptionally rich in vitamin A, holding 1000μg!) 🐰