Mom was right when she asked us to eat our vegetables. The foundation of our health is built by healthy vegetables like carrots. Some say carrots will help you see in the dark. Is it true? Find out all about carrots and their remarkable benefits that we can avail right from your kitchen.
About Carrots
It is safe to say that people cultivated carrot or DaucusCarota hundreds of years ago. The first traces of carrots were found in Afghanistan, and the taste of that vegetable was bitter and woody unlike the ones we eat today. Year by year, growers experimented and locked the juicy, tasty variety that is now a staple in our homes.
Nutrition Information
Carrot feels crunchy and is a highly nutritious food to add in your diet. The water content of carrots ranges from 86 to 95 percent with 10 percent carbs and very little fat and protein. You can say that carrot is a mixture of water and carbs. 100 g of carrot roughly contains:
- 41 calories
- 88 percent water
- 9 g protein
- 6 g carbs
- 7 g sugar
- 8 g fiber
- 2 g fat
Several vitamins and minerals in carrots make them a perfect candidate for achieving your daily nutrition goal. Carrots contain beta carotene, biotin, vitamin K1, Potassium, and Vitamin B6.
Health Benefits of Carrots
Reducing the Risk of Cancer
Foods containing carotenoids reduce the risk of cancers of prostate, colon and stomach. Women consuming high levels of carotenoids will also have a reduced risk of breast cancer. Also, the cancer fighting benefits extend to men as carrots help reduce prostate cancer risks. The retinoic acid and Vitamin A present in the carrot thwart the cancer’s ability to infect the tissues and damage them. Some studies point to beta-carotene as a substance to help fight cancer. Rather than looking for a commercial supplement, it is better to achieve your carotenoid goals with carrots.
Build the Immune System
The diverse range of nutrition in carrot like vitamin C and antioxidants boost your immune system. They build a healthy defense system in your body that fights many diseases. Carrots are especially good for pregnant women, but make sure to consult with your doctor first. When you eat carrots regularly, a protective shield is built in your cells against germs and allergens.
Good for Hair Health
Carrot is a lucrative food for enhancing your inner and outer beauty. It nourishes your hair with much-needed vitamins to give you a shiny, gorgeous mane. It is easy to eat this blessed vegetable than spend thousands on hair treatments that fade away with time.
For Glowing Skin
Antioxidants give your body a natural glow, and build healthy skin cells. The beta carotene in carrots that gives them a red color brightens your skin and makes it tight. Beta carotene in carrot is converted into vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A builds skin cells and prevents wrinkles. Consume carrot in a moderate quantity every day for 4 weeks to see amazing results.
Protects Oral Health
Carrots make you smile a little brighter. Carrot is long credited as a vegetable that fights cavities. Chewing on a raw carrot acts the same as using a toothbrush. Chewing carrots also reduces plaque and strengthens the tooth enamel. The vegetable plays the role of a natural abrasive, scrubbing plaque and leftovers away. Because stains could hang onto the plague, taking a bite of carrots at the end of every meal can clean the mouth, reducing the need to brush after every meal.
Enhance Vision
Carrots do help you see in the dark, in some way. The Vitamin A in carrots is important for eye health. Deficiency of Vitamin A leads to various eye diseases that affect vision and may cause night blindness. Blindness in children can be prevented by giving them vitamin A rich foods like carrots. Plus, frequent consumption of the veggie can secure the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration, which are problems associated with age. However, not everyone has a vitamin A deficiency, so the magic won’t work on everyone!
Reduces Toxins
Another notable advantage of consuming carrot is that they help remove toxins for the human body. Researchers believe that the vegetable has elements that help battle bile and fat in the liver. When these substances are away, it results in improved functioning of the liver. Also, combining leafy greens such as spinach or arugula with carts can work wonders to improve your liver health.
Adding Carrot to your Diet
After reading the all-round benefits of carrots, you must want to include them in your diet. There are various ways to eat carrots in meals; some of them are listed below.
Roasted Carrots: The flavor of carrots gets enhanced in the oven, and the sides become a delicious caramelized brown. This recipe guides you to roast carrots three ways according to your desired spice levels and use it as a side with any meal.
Carrot Juice: Some people prefer to drink their carrots, and you might want to try this too. Carrot juice is especially good for children who do not want to chomp on the red veggies. You can try blending carrots or juice them in a hard juicer blender.
Conclusion
Whether you consume them raw, eat a steamed variety or dip them in a hummus, you can have a peace of mind knowing that you are adding a healthy superfood to your diet. Carrots are filled with components that will rev up your skin and health while boosting your metabolism. Plus, you’ll have something you could munch on without feeling guilty since they’re one of the lowest-calorie foods out there. In short, if you’re looking for something tasty, crunchy, and nutritious, carrots are unlikely to leave you disappointed.