What Did Pirates Eat to Avoid Scurvy? A Look at Maritime Nutrition
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5 min read
Over two million sailors are estimated to have died of scurvy between 1500 and 1800, making it the leading cause of naval death. Faced with this deadly illness, pirates and sailors alike sought ways to combat vitamin C deficiency. So, what did pirates eat to avoid scurvy? The truth reveals a diet of necessity, opportunity, and occasional desperation.
