Since the first Christmas in AD 336, children have lovingly left carrots for Rudolph and his fellow reindeer. Yet, the true significance of this tradition remained a mystery—until now.
Partnership
Two years ago, Santa Claus made a magical visit to Carriganore House at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI), sparking an exciting and ground-breaking partnership between the NRCI and Santa’s team of reindeer nutrition elves.
Since then, scientists from the NRCI, based at South East Technological University (SETU), have been working closely with Santa and his elves to unlock the magic behind the reindeer’s incredible abilities.
The collaboration has uncovered the secret behind the reindeer’s legendary powers – Carotenoids. Carotenoids, natural pigments found in healthy foods like carrots, broccoli, corn, and bananas, powers the reindeer’s ability to see clearly and remember all the homes they must visit on Christmas Eve.
Through their research, the NRCI scientists, in collaboration with Santa’s elves, created a special “magic formula” of carotenoids that helps enhance the reindeer’s vision and brain health, ensuring they are in top form for their important mission. Even more exciting, the scientists discovered that carotenoids could have similar benefits for humans, promoting healthy vision and brain function. This discovery has inspired children and families around the world to enjoy more carotenoid-rich foods to stay healthy and strong — just like Rudolph and his magical companions.
Festive visit
To celebrate this festive achievement, Santa Claus returned to Carriganore House on 10 December, for a Christmas party to thank the NRCI team for their hard work and to continue his annual tradition of ensuring that his reindeer are in peak condition for their global journey on Christmas Eve.
The festive event included fun-filled activities for the kids of the scientists working at NRCI, special Christmas treats, and a chance to hear from Santa about the magic behind the reindeer’s powers.
Santa also collected the latest batch of the magical carotenoid formula, ensuring that his reindeer are ready for their journey across the globe. “I’m so grateful to the scientists at NRCI for their incredible work,” said Santa Claus. “The reindeer are in top condition, and I’m feeling better than ever myself, thanks to the carotenoid formula. Though, I’ll still be enjoying my cookies on Christmas Eve.” He continued, “Rudolph especially loves the meso-zeaxanthin carotenoid, which the elves tell me has extra-special powers.”
Professor John Nolan, Director of the NRCI, expressed his excitement about the discovery: “We are thrilled to have contributed to Santa’s magical journey by helping his reindeer maintain perfect vision and memory on Christmas Eve. This discovery is not only exciting for the holiday season, but it’s also an important reminder for everyone — especially children — to eat healthy foods containing carotenoids to support their own vision and brain health.”
He added, “We look forward to continuing our work with Santa and his elves for many years to come, helping to ensure that the reindeer are always ready for the big night and that children worldwide understand the importance of healthy nutrition -It’s just science.”
NRCI is a world-leading research facility dedicated to advancing our understanding of human nutrition, performance, and health. Based at South East Technological University in Waterford, NRCI is at the forefront of cutting-edge research, with a special focus on carotenoids and their impact on vision and brain health. The centre collaborates with global partners to translate scientific discoveries into practical applications that improve health outcomes for people of all ages.
Image shows: Santa Claus returned to Carriganore House recently for a Christmas party to thank the NRCI team for their hard work. Santa was pictured with Professor John Nolan, Director of the NRCI and members of the NRCI team.