Carrots are often thought of as the ultimate healthy food. Generations of parents have told their children, “Eat your carrots, they are good for you”. The roots that were first grown thousands of years ago are very different from the root we know today. Read more about the nutrients in carrots and their health benefits here.
* Carrots were first grown in Asia and they were not orange.
* Carrots contain antioxidants that may protect against cancer.
*While they may not help you see in the dark, the vitamin A in carrots helps prevent vision loss.
*Carrots are available all year round and can be used in savory dishes, cakes and juices.
There is some evidence that eating more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, may help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Carrots are also rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Here are some ways carrots can be healthy.
A variety of dietary carotenoids have been shown to have anti-cancer effects, due to their antioxidant action in reducing free radicals in the body.
Carrots contain beta carotene. Previous studies have concluded that beta-carotene supplementation may reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Consumption of more beta-carotene may reduce the risk of colon cancer, say researchers who studied 893 people in Japan.
A 2011 study found that carrot juice extract could kill leukemia cells and inhibit their progression.
Can carrots help you see in the dark? In a way, yes. Carrots contain vitamin A. A vitamin A deficiency can lead to xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease that can impair normal vision and lead to night blindness, or the inability to see in low light or darkness.
The antioxidants and phytochemicals in carrots can help regulate blood sugar levels. About a quarter of the carbohydrate in carrots is sugar, but the amount of carbohydrates in carrots is relatively small.
Carrots contain fiber and potassium. Eating a high-fiber diet and increasing potassium while decreasing sodium intake is recommended to protect against high blood pressure and heart disease. Carrots provide a good balance of these nutrients.
Carrots contain vitamin C, an antioxidant. This helps to strengthen the immune system and prevent disease. Vitamin C can help reduce the severity of the common cold and extend its duration.
