Superpowers from Carrots?

You’ve probably heard these food-related sayings growing up, maybe from your parents, teachers, or even in cartoons, but have you ever stopped to wonder which ones are actually true and which are just myths (or clever tricks your mom used to get you to eat better)?

“Eating carrots improves your eyesight.”

Fortunately for me, as someone who’s never liked carrots, this one turns out to be mostly false! While carrots are healthy and an excellent source of beta-carotene (which the body converts into vitamin A, a nutrient essential for eye health), they won’t actually give you superhuman vision or drastically improve your eyesight. The idea that they do is more myth than fact. This belief gained popularity during World War II when the British government spread the story that their pilots had superior night vision thanks to eating lots of carrots. In reality, they were using radar technology to spot enemy planes, but the carrot story was used to keep that secret.

“Eating eggs raises your cholesterol.”

This one is mostly false. Yes, it’s true that a single egg yolk contains about 186 milligrams of cholesterol, which used to concern health professionals. However, more recent research has shown that for the vast majority of people, the cholesterol found in food (dietary cholesterol) doesn’t have a major effect on blood cholesterol levels. In fact, saturated fats and trans fats have a much greater impact and should be the ones to watch out for. Eggs are actually quite nutritious as they’re rich in high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins like B12 and D. With most foods, moderation is important. One or two eggs a day is generally fine for most people, but maybe hold off on the six-egg omelets.

“Organic food is healthier than non-organic.”

This is a common assumption, but it’s not entirely true. Organic foods are grown using fewer chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers, which is better for the environment and often aligns with ethical farming practices. However, organic food is not necessarily more nutritious than conventionally grown food. A non-organic apple still has plenty of fiber and nutrients, and an organic cookie is still a cookie—it doesn’t automatically make it a healthier snack. So while choosing organic might be better for the planet, it’s not always nutritionally superior (and could just be another tactic brands use to get your attention). 

At the end of the day, many of these old food myths have been thoroughly debunked by science. But, if you still find them useful when trying to convince your kids (or a picky partner) to eat their veggies, we won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with us!