Category: Exploration

Historically, scurvy was a devastating disease, killing more British sailors during the 18th century than enemy action. What was the old cure for scurvy was a question that perplexed doctors for centuries, with the effective solution of fresh food, particularly citrus fruit, repeatedly being discovered and then forgotten.

Historically, scurvy claimed the lives of more sailors than combat during the Age of Sail. This deadly nutritional disease posed a major threat to any long-distance expedition, forcing pioneers and explorers to develop creative and often forgotten methods to prevent scurvy.

For over three centuries, from 1500 to 1800, scurvy killed at least two million sailors, more than all naval battles combined. This debilitating disease, caused by a lack of vitamin C, posed one of the greatest threats to long-distance sea travel, forcing historical figures to seek creative and often ineffective ways to combat it, before the real cause was understood.

During a polar expedition, explorers can require over 6,500 calories per day, demonstrating the intense nutritional needs for survival in extreme environments. The answer to what food do explorers eat reveals a fascinating history of ingenuity and scientific advancement aimed at fueling human endurance.

The Milky Way galaxy contains billions of stars, but for the casual observer, what's in a midnight milky way? The term could refer to the stunning celestial band visible from Earth or the decadent dark chocolate candy bar, each with its own fascinating composition to explore.

Over his three Pacific voyages, Captain James Cook famously lost only a single crew member to scurvy, a remarkable achievement for his era. The answer to what Captain Cook used to prevent scurvy is not a single cure but a multi-faceted approach, combining dietary elements, ship hygiene, and discipline.