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Health Benefits of Carrots

| March 23, 2013 Comment

 

Health Benefits of Carrots

The health benefits of carrots are varied. A root vegetable, carrot belongs to the same family as parsley, dill, and fennel. Widely recommended by physicians for innumerable medicinal purposes, carrots are an important source of vitamin A, as well as many other nutrients.

Carrots are believed to have originated in Afghanistan some 5000 years ago and then spread to the Mediterranean region. The early carrots were not orange or red, but purple in color. A yellow variety was later cultivated in Asia, which was then adopted by Romans and Greeks. The orange carrot was cultivated by the Europeans in the 17th century because they wanted a better texture. Today, thanks to the efforts of the scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (USDA), Vegetable Crops Research Unit at University of Madison, Wisconsin, the early purple, yellow and white carrots are being re-introduced into the market.

The goal of these researchers was initially to breed carrots that would be packed with beta carotene, the orange/red pigment used by the body to create vitamin A. Their efforts resulted in today’s carrots which have 75 percent more beta-carotene than those available 25 years ago. A single, full-size carrot provides more than the daily required intake of this essential vitamin for an adult.

These scientists have also brought back the purple, red, yellow, and white carrots that had existed earlier because they have learnt that these varied color pigments provide antioxidants like lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin that perform several protective duties in the human body.

Red carrots get their color from lycopene, a type of carotene that helps prevent heart disease and some types of cancer. Yellow carrots contain xanthophylls, pigments that provide lutein, (one of the hydroxy carotenoids in the human retina) that helps maintain good eye health. Purple carrots have anthocyanins—an entirely different class of pigments which act as powerful antioxidants. All these antioxidants in carrots provide important health benefits.

Carrot Nutrition

Quick Facts

As mentioned above, raw carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium. According to a study, eating one cup of carrots can reduce your risk of heart attack by sixty percent. Studies have shown that the beta carotene in carrots helps protects against cancer by stimulating the immune cells called macrphages to produce cancer-killing compounds.

Apart from preventing heart disease and cancer, vitamin A also improves skin health. Vitamin A protects the skin from sun damage by reducing its photosensitivity.

A high intake of vitamin A has been shown to reduce the risk breast cancer, and cancers of the bladder, colon, cervix,, esophagus, larynx, and prostate.

The beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin that carrots contain protect the eyes from cataract and macular degeneration. For those suffering from cataract, eating raw carrots or drinking fresh carrot juice has been found to be beneficial.

Carrots contain Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, thiamine, folic acid, potassium and magnesium. Raw carrots are one of the best natural cures for indigestion; chewing carrots increases saliva and helps digestion by providing the necessary enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. Chewing on a carrot after a meal can also freshen your breath.

Cooked carrots contain four times the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A in the form of protective beta carotene, besides containing Vitamin B6, copper, folic acid, and magnesium. Carrot soup is an effective home remedy for diarrhea as it provides water to prevent dehydration, and replenishes potassium, calcium and other minerals.

Carrots also contains some amount of sodium, fluoride, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and calcium. High levels of selenium, calcium, and beta carotene have been found effective in combating asthma in children.

The antioxidants in carrots are great for muscle health and help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions. Carrot juice has been found effective in the treatment of pneumonia, migraine, arthritis, colitis, and hypertension. Carrots are also supposed to be effective in treating impotence.

The antioxidants in carrots help boost the body’s immune system, and help fight bacterial and viral infections including ear infections, the common cold, and urinary tract infections.

Carrots are better cooked as they release the beta carotenes when cooked.

Carrots are a versatile vegetable used for preparing a variety of dishes ranging from curries, salads and soups to desserts and sweets. Carrot Halwa or Gajar ka Halwa (in Hindi) is a very popular dessert in India.

Sources

Agricultural Research Service, USDA (www.ars.usda.gov)
Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com)
Natural Home Remedies for Common Ailments (H. K. Bakhru)

Last updated on October 11, 2015.

Category: Health

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