Garri is one of the most cherished staple foods in Nigeria and many parts of West Africa. From being soaked in cold water with groundnuts and sugar to being turned into eba served with delicious soups like egusi or ogbono, garri is both affordable and satisfying.
However, for years, one frightening belief has lingered across households: “Garri can cause blindness.” This claim has scared many people, especially when it comes to soaking garri regularly. But how true is this? Is there any scientific fact behind this popular fear, or is it just a myth passed down through generations?
In this article, we dig deep into the origin of this belief, explore the science behind it, and provide you with the real truth about garri and its link to eye health.
Where Did the Rumour Come From?
Many Nigerians can relate to hearing something like this while growing up:
“Stop drinking too much garri o! You’ll go blind!”
But the big question is, why is garri—out of all Nigerian foods—linked with blindness?
The belief comes from one key factor: cassava, the root crop from which garri is made. Raw cassava contains natural chemicals known as cyanogenic glycosides. When these chemicals are not properly removed during processing, they can release hydrogen cyanide, a highly toxic substance.
Hydrogen cyanide, if consumed in large amounts over time, can cause serious health issues — including damage to the nervous system and the eyes. This is what gave rise to the belief that garri could lead to blindness.
Understanding Cyanide in Cassava
Cyanide sounds scary, and rightly so. It’s a poisonous chemical that, in high amounts, can cause serious problems such as:
Weakness
Headaches
Nausea
Paralysis
Nerve damage
And yes — potential visual impairment
But the truth is that modern garri is generally safe to eat because the traditional processing methods—soaking, fermenting, drying, and frying—are designed specifically to remove most of the harmful cyanide content in cassava.
So, unless the cassava was badly processed, the garri you’re eating is unlikely to contain enough cyanide to cause health issues.
So, Can Garri Really Cause Blindness?
The short answer is: No, garri does NOT directly cause blindness.
Here’s why:
When cassava is properly processed, almost all the cyanide is removed.
Blindness only occurs if you consume large amounts of improperly processed cassava-based foods over a long period.
Most garri sold in markets today is already well-fermented and properly fried, making it safe for consumption.
However, if you consistently consume poor-quality, locally processed garri made from unfermented or half-processed cassava, then over time, cyanide poisoning could cause damage to various parts of your body, including the eyes. But such cases are extremely rare and often happen in rural or underdeveloped areas where traditional processing methods are not followed correctly.
What About Nutritional Deficiencies?
Another reason garri has been linked to poor eyesight is due to nutritional imbalance, not the garri itself.
Garri is high in carbohydrates but low in essential nutrients like:
Vitamin A
Protein
Iron
Zinc
A person who relies heavily on garri as a daily meal, especially soaked garri without any protein or fruits, could suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which is a known cause of night blindness and poor vision. This is especially true among children or people in low-income areas.
But again, the issue here is not the garri — it’s the lack of a balanced diet.
How To Eat Garri Safely
If you love garri and don’t want to stop enjoying it, here are a few simple ways to consume it safely and healthily:
✅ Buy from trusted sources – Go for garri that is well-packaged, dry, and free from foul smell or dirt.
✅ Don’t over-consume soaked garri daily – Vary your meals and avoid relying only on garri to fill your stomach.
✅ Add protein or vitamins to your meal – For soaked garri, include groundnuts, milk, or fruits. For eba, always eat it with protein-rich soups like egusi, okra, ogbono, or vegetables rich in Vitamin A.
✅ Store garri properly – Keep it in a dry container with a tight lid to avoid contamination from mold, dirt, or pests.
✅ Avoid garri from questionable processing centers – If you’re unsure about the hygiene or processing method, it’s better to avoid it.
So Why Do People Still Believe the Myth?
Most of the myths about garri and blindness are due to:
Lack of proper information
Experiences from remote communities with poorly processed cassava
Overconsumption without a balanced diet
Just like the myth that cold water causes pneumonia or beans makes you dull, this belief has stuck around for so long that people take it as fact — even without evidence.
The Real Dangers Are Rare
The real danger lies in the consumption of:
Cassava that was not fermented properly
Garri produced without removing cyanide
A poor diet made up of only carbohydrates with little or no fruits, vegetables, or proteins
These risks are avoidable when we make informed food choices and eat a balanced diet.
Verdict
Enjoy your garri, but don’t make it the only thing you eat every day. Add fruits, vegetables, and protein to your meals. Most importantly, stay informed and help spread the truth — garri alone cannot make you blind.
