Carrots are amazingly nutritious foods which can be eaten in different ways. Whether they`re steamed, eaten raw or cooked, they remain awesome; they are one of the most versatile foods around. We will discuss some benefits of carrots, and some general facts about them.
Health Benefits of Carrots
They Combat Cancer
Foods such as carrots which contain carotenoids have a way of lowering risks of cancer. This is such a great quality, and it is as a result of the antioxidant content in carrots which fight against leukemia cells. This brings about a reduction in the risk of developing cancer. What else? Women who have a family history of breast cancer could also get their tissues protected from developing cancerous cells if they drink carrot juice daily.
Keeping the Eyes Healthy
Carrots contain vital nutrients such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin that ensure the maintenance and development of the eyes. People who are deficient in any of these nutrients are at risk of macular degeneration, blindness, and loss of vision during old age.
Supporting Digestion
Carrots have some good amount of fiber, and you probably know how vital fiber is to the digestion process. Fiber deficiency causes constipation and hemorrhoids, which can be severely painful. Consuming carrots regularly can prevent these. The fiber in carrots adds bulk to the body’s waste material and helps it pass through the system easily. Why would anyone not eat carrots?
Lower Risk of Developing Diabetes
Would you believe that type-2 diabetes can be reduced by regularly consuming foods that contain beta-carotene? Of course, carrots fall in this safe category. We can confidently say then, that carrots are a good food to eat to prevent diabetes.
They Protect the Heart
A regular consumption of carrots keeps the heart healthy, thereby, keeps you alive longer. Studies have shown that women who eat more orange colored vegetables lower their risks of developing heart diseases, and that carrot juice has a neutralizing effect on the damage caused by oxidation. This means that it helps the body defend itself against the dangers of cardiovascular disorders. Carrots are particularly known for cholesterol reduction because they`re associated with increasing bile production, which assimilates fat deposits in the body. When will you begin to add carrots to your meals?
Strengthening the Teeth and Gums
Carrots are highly effective in improving immunity against the bacteria that enter the body through the mouth. Such bacteria are notorious for a number of dental problems such as tooth decay and bleeding gums. Carrots have got essential minerals which have microbial properties which prevent bacteria growth and tooth decay. Carrots are super at eliminating post-meal stains and plaque too. Carrots also contain fiber that is effective cleansing agents.
Enhancing Speedy Recovery
Carrots enhance quick recovery from wounds, thanks to the beta-carotene content. Eating a diet rich in carrots after getting a scrape or cut will bring about a speedy recovery.
Brain Health and Cognitive Functions
Carrots enhance neural capacities and benefit the brain by shielding it from symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. This is as a result of antioxidants such as beta-carotene which carrots contain; they reduce the effects of radicals to boost cognition.
They`ve Got Antioxidants
This crunchy vegetable has got antioxidants, and this is a fantastic quality. Did you know that constant oxidation can lead to the weakening of the organs? This is as a result of the terrible effects of radicals. These rascals, radicals rather, don’t only weaken the organs, they also cause harm to the immune system. So to prevent different types of cancers, avoid cell mutation, and protect your DNA, you should add carrots to your diet.
Giving that Young Look
Free radicals affect the body’s tissues, thereby weakening the body and causing aging. Antioxidants are essential in protecting the body against the symptoms of early aging. This is why beta-carotene in carrots is dear to us. It reverses the effects of aging to give that look of being younger. Asides beta-carotene, carrots also contain collagen which is highly essential for the epidermal tissue. Collagen helps the outer skin retain the elasticity typically associated with youthful skin. You want to look young and sweet? Bite that crunchy vegetable asap.
Healthy Hair and Skin
Carrots are rich in vitamin A, and this vitamin protects the skin cells against damage by the sun’s harmful UV rays. It keeps the skin supple and soft too because it prevents dehydration. So have you been bothering over the appearance of your skin? Now you know that your worries are over. What about hair cells? Carrots are nutritious enough to battle hair fall. Just go ahead to keep eating carrots to enjoy these benefits
Here Are Some Carrot Facts
- Carrots are grown from seed and can take up to 120 days to mature, however, most cultivars mature within 70 to 80 days.
- The belief that eating carrots improves night vision is a myth put forward by the British in World War II to mislead the enemy on their military capabilities.ys under the right conditions.
- Carrots require cool to moderate temperatures, and they not grown in summer in the warmer regions.
- The carrot plant produces a rosette of 8–12 leaves above the ground and a fleshy conical taproot below the ground. The plant produces small (2 mm) flowers which are white, red or purple in color.
- Carrots were domesticated in Iran and Afghanistan over 5000 years ago. From there, they spread across the world.
- There are over 100 species of this great root vegetable today.
- Until the 17th century, the only edible types of carrots had black, white, red and purple colors. The orange carrots we have everywhere today were created by selective breeding in the Netherlands as a tribute to the ruling House of Orange.
- In the 17th century, carrot leaves were carried in the hair in some parts of England for fashion.
- Carrots used to be bitter and dry before gaining sweetness during the 17th and the 18th century.
- Americans became fond of carrots only after soldiers returned home from World War I, in which they had constant contact with it.
- Since they became known in ancient Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe, carrots have used for medicinal purpose.
- Romans considered carrots as aphrodisiacs.
- 87% of carrot is water.
- Carrots can be eaten raw, boiled or made into sweet juice.
- A teaspoon of carrots can hold 2000 carrot seeds.
- The heaviest carrot was grown in 1998, and it weighed 8.61 kg. The world longest carrot was 5.839 meters (19 feet 1 7/8 inches).
- Among all vegetables, carrots have the highest vitamin A content: 100 grams of carrot provides 104% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A.
- Carrots have natural sweet sugar in them.
- Celts referred to carrots as “honey underground”.
- Holtville in California is known as “The Carrot Capital of the World”. There, there`s an annual carrot festival that dates back more than 60 years.
- Carrots are a good source of fiber.
- 35% of American Vitamin A intake comes from carrots.
- Rabbits love to eat carrots, however, they eat only a little. A rabbit eating a single carrot is like humans eating over 20 carrots.
- Carrots are good for rabbit teeth.
- A glass of milk contains the same amount of calcium in nine carrots.
- Eating too much carrot may cause a condition known as “carotenemia”. Its major symptom is a yellowish tint on the skin.
