Carrot is a known root crop as it is grown deep down the soil and a popular vegetable that can be used in different kinds of recipes as the main dish and for dessert. It has a sweet taste so you will not have any problem introducing this as the first vegetable to a baby. There are numerous vitamins in carrots like Vitamin K and beta carotene which is an antioxidant. It is also rich in fiber that is useful to complete a diet plan.
Beta carotene is present in fruits and vegetables with colors such as yellow, orange, white, and purple. The bright orange color of carrot is due to its high concentration of carotene which is an antioxidant that is converted into vitamin A once processed in the body.
1. Improve Vision
Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness that is why you must consume a good amount of it in the diet. The reason for this is because a part of the eye which is the photoreceptors starts to deteriorate once you lack Vitamin A in the diet for a long period. If you want to maintain healthy eyes as you age, then carrots good for you.
2. Avoid Certain Types of Cancer
Carrots because of its orange pigment contain manifold of phytochemicals that are proven effective as an anti-cancer. This is one of the many health benefits of carrot that help people to reduce the risk of having cancer. The carotene and carotenoids present inside offers immunity as well as it can activate special proteins that prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. Researches are showing that the carrot juice benefits patients suffering from leukemia or cancer of the blood.
3. Promote Radiant Skin
The carotenoids found in carrots can offer positive results in the skin’s appearance and can make you look younger than your actual age. However, you need to become aware that overconsumption of foods rich in carotenoids can lead to a condition known as carotenemia which characterized by having yellowish to orange like skin. Definitely carrots good for you and your health but anything in excess is also bad for the body.
4. Promote Hair Growth
Carrot juice benefits aside from giving a refreshing feel after drinking is the fact that it is loaded with vitamin A and C plus potassium and many antioxidants. There are anecdotal reports on the effectiveness of carrots to hair growth, but it still needs more pieces of evidence to support the claim.
5. Weight Loss Properties
Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked as it is composed of 88% water and only 25 calories so it is guilt-free. It is a smart way to include carrots in your diet to give fullness without consuming too many calories plus getting all vitamins in carrots. Fiber is an important component that gives this vegetable the bulk inside the stomach once eaten.
6. Lowers Blood Pressure
In a study conducted, carrot juice benefits were highlighted as one of the reasons for the 5% reduction of blood pressure. According to the result, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and nitrates were found to provide such an effect.
7. Diabetes Management
A diet that is well balanced and rich in the health benefits of carrot is imperative to maintain a healthy lifestyle for diabetic individuals. However, if you are at the borderline of diabetes especially type 2, you need to ensure that you take in nutritious foods with vitamin A. A diet that is low in vitamins in carrots can result in abnormalities in the metabolism of glucose.
8. Immune Booster
Two important health benefits of carrots are having both vitamin A and C because these are vital in the normal functioning of the immune system. Specifically, vitamin C promotes wound healing and increases collagen production.
9. Healthy Bones, Teeth, and Gums
It is the vitamin A content that can aid in bone cell metabolism. Eating raw carrots can improve oral health and promote fresh breath. Drinking carrot juice benefits your oral health as it can neutralize citric and malic acid found in the mouth.
10. Cleanse the Liver
Many are not aware that carrots also have some glutathione and it is an antioxidant that is known to help in the treatment of liver damage. Vitamins in carrots, carotene, and flavonoids can bring back your liver in its optimum function.