Carrots are the most versatile vegetable out there and you can eat them raw, cooked or steamed, in salads and desserts. This veggie comes packed with Vitamin A and additional nutrients that include Vitamin C, K, B6, biotin and potassium.
The rich nutritional profile of carrot provides you with amazing health benefits right from great eyesight, healthy heart, oral care, boosting immunity, glowing skin and lustrous hair. Also Read: 7 Incredible Hair Growth Tips For Healthy, Long And Lustrous Tresses
Carrots Nutritional Facts:
Crunchy, tasty and nutritious carrots abound with an extremely rich nutrient profile that is known to offer a ton of healing health benefits. Carrots are loaded with carbohydrates comprising starch and natural sugars such as sucrose and glucose. They are an abundant source of dietary fibre and being low on a glycaemic index is highly valuable in regulating blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss.
The presence of soluble fibre pectin delays the gastric emptying time and slow down the digestion of starch. They also nurture the gut-friendly bacteria stimulating the digestion process, regularise bowel movement and treat constipation.
The key vitamins and minerals present in carrots include biotin, vitamin A, K, B6 and potassium. Rich in beta carotene, carrots help the body convert into vitamin A that improves vision, trigger immune response and promotes growth. Biotin assists in fat and protein metabolism, while vitamin K1 is needed for proper blood clotting mechanism and fortifies bone health. Furthermore, loaded with vitamin B6 it is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Carrots are also packed with bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants that uplifts immune response lowers the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. Some of the phytonutrients in carrots include:
Lutein needed for normal vision and eyesight
Lycopene plays a key role in lowering the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Polyacetylenes compounds in carrots may prevent leukaemia and the formation of other cancerous cells
Anthocyanin compounds are known to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Top 5 Health Benefits Of Carrots:
Healthy Eyes
To score your 20/20 in your vision test all you have to do is to include this wonder vegetable in your regular diet. Carrots are a powerhouse of beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, all of them improve eye health.
The antioxidants in carrots help in treating vision issues like macular degeneration and blindness due to lack of beta-carotene and also guards against loss of vision during old age. Also Read: World Glaucoma Week 2020: Easy & Delicious Recipes To Improve Your Vision
Good For Heart
Superfoods for a healthy heart include carrots. Evidence shows that carrot juice neutralizes the effect on the damage caused by oxidation and guards against the risk of heart disease.
Carrots also lower cholesterol by increasing bile production and absorb fat that gets clogged in the body. Recent research says women who eat more orange coloured vegetables lower the risk of heart disease.
Healthy Teeth And Gums
Eating carrot in salads not just keeps you satiated but also helps in shielding your gums and teeth against harmful bacteria. The presence of essential nutrients in carrots possesses strong microbial properties to prevent tooth decay, remove stains, ward off the plaque after a meal and also maintain good oral hygiene.
Prevents Cancer
Several studies have proven that carotenoids in carrots help in fighting leukaemia and also in lowering the risk of developing cancer. According to a study, women with a family history of breast cancer who drank carrot juices daily helped them in guarding their tissues against developing any cancerous cells.
Healthy Hair & Skin
A carrot a day can keep your skin supple and soft, as it prevents dehydration which takes a toll on your skin. The rich nutrient profile of carrots protects your skin cells against harmful UV rays. It can also be used as a homemade facial mask to revive your skin to look more youthful and bright. In addition, the nutrients in carrot also help in restoring hair cells to combat hair fall.
And in case you are wondering how to convince your kids to eat this wholesome, nutrient-rich veggie, look no further. Whip up this delicious carrot ginger soup, with the aromatic essence of basil, for your little ones today and relish it for lunch or dinner, with your family.
Additional Health Benefits
Promotes Weight Loss
One of the healthiest snacks that can be eaten raw without any worries, carrots contain a minimal number of calories. The vegetable has nutrients that keep you fuller longer and in turn, lower the quantity of energy you eat. For Weight Watchers, including a few carrots in the diet is an amazing deal.
Bolsters Immunity
A fabulous source of Vitamin A and Beta-carotene carrots also contain significant amounts of Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Lutein, and Vitamin K. These components present in carrots help to strengthen immune system support and healing. The red vegetable has vitamin A which plays an important role in the formation and protection of mucous membranes, thus warding off the germs out of the body.
Fosters Digestive Health
Super high in fiber carrots aid digestive health and contain carotenoids which are potential antioxidants. These can prevent colon cancer. High-fiber diets have been always suggested to keep gut health strong and they also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Carrot Ginger Basil Soup
Ingredients:
3 -4 medium-sized carrots, finely chopped
1 small potato, peeled
1 small onion, cut into pieces
3 cloves of garlic
A small piece of ginger, minced
1 ½ cups water
A sprig of basil leaves
Salt, as per taste
Method:
Heat olive oil in a pressure cooker on medium flame, sauté the onion, ginger, garlic for 2 – 3 minutes.
Transfer the carrots, potatoes, along with water and cook for 2 whistles.
Switch off the stove, transfer the cooked, mashed veggies into a mixer and blend thoroughly, to obtain a homogenous paste.
Heat this carrot ginger soup in a pan for 5 minutes on low flame, seasoning it with salt and pepper, adding a little bit of water.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot, as an appetizer for lunch or dinner.
Nutrition:
Carrots are abundant in vitamin A, as well as a host of eye-enhancing components like lutein and zeaxanthin, for healthy vision. Being inherently rich in gingerol, a potent anti-inflammatory compound, ginger relieves muscle and joint pain, besides facilitating smooth digestion. Basil leaves are a treasure trove of antioxidants like flavonoids and tannins, which enrich skin texture, as well as alleviate depression, thereby uplifting moods.
References:
Chemical composition, functional properties, and processing of carrot—a review
Department of Food Science & Technology, Parmar University, Solan, 173 230 India, Krishan Datt Sharma, Email: moc.liamffider@dkamrahsnahsirk.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550877/
Disclaimer:
The content provided here is for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance does not endorse or recommend any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the blog.
