Tag: Sailor diet

An estimated two million sailors died of scurvy between the 16th and 18th centuries, a debilitating and often fatal disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. The question of what do pirates eat to prevent scurvy, therefore, holds the key to understanding survival on the open seas during the Age of Sail.

Over two million sailors are estimated to have died from scurvy between the 16th and 18th centuries, a devastating illness caused by dietary deficiency. The specific food choices, often limited to non-perishable items, are the primary reason why sailors developed scurvy during long sea voyages.

An estimated 2 million sailors died from scurvy between the 16th and 18th centuries, a devastating toll caused by a lack of proper nutrition during long sea voyages. The primary question, "what causes scurvy in sailors?", points to a profound deficiency of one vital nutrient: vitamin C.