From childhood we hear from our elders about the benefits of fruits and vegetables especially carrots. Almost all love to include carrot in their diet as snack or sweet. Carrots help to improve vision, controls diabetes and also work very efficiently for skin and hair. Carrots are full of antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins like A, C and K which boost our immune system. Furthermore carrots also help to control menstrual problems like pain and cramps.
Carrot is a root vegetable from the family apiaceae of genus daucus, whose scientific name is Daucus carota subsp. sativus. The name carrot derived from the Greek word karoton. Carrots are basically orange in colour, but now carrots became more colourful and are available in different colours like red, yellow, white and purple. Carrots are most widely used vegetable in the world and they can be eaten in both forms like raw and cooked form. Carrots are crunchy and sweet in flavour. They are available throughout the year. Carrots need deep, loose soil to grow and are at their best between May and September.
Carrots are native to Afghanistan, history of carrots and are believed to have originated back 5000 years ago. Carrot seeds were picked and sold to neighbouring countries like Arabia, Africa and Asia. Ancient Greeks and Romans were familiar with carrots, Romans are known to eat carrots in both raw and cooked forms, whereas Greeks used carrots for remedies purpose. Both raw and cooked carrots have same nutrient values, some studies says that cooked carrots has high amount of beta-carotene and phenolic acids when compared to raw carrots. Carrots are important vegetable in many cuisines, it is versatile and used in preparation of salads, soups, snacks and in other recipes.
Nutrition Facts about Carrots :
Carrots are known to be the perfect health food as they are tasty and highly nutritious. Carrots are good source of beta carotene, fibre and antioxidants. Carrots are low calorie food and contain vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and vitamin B6. Carrots contain almost all vitamins in small amounts like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate. Carrots also contain biotin one of the B vitamins.
Carrots provide minerals that we need to be healthy. Carrots contain calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese. These minerals help to maintain healthy nervous system and proper muscle function.
Carrots contain many plant compounds like beta carotene, alpha carotene, lutein, lycopene, polyacetylenes and anthocyanins.
Health Benefits of Carrots :
Carrots provide several health benefits and also beneficial for skin and hair.
Control risk of cancers– Antioxidants and beta carotene present in carrots are very helpful to treat cancers.
Improve vision– Carrots are very good for eyes. Carrots contain vitamin A, beta carotene and lutein which are very helpful in treating vision and eye related problems. Carotenoids in carrots treat the risk of macular degeneration.
Healthy heart– Carrots contain Carotenoids that treat coronary heart diseases, treat stroke and lowers cholesterol levels.
Control risk of type 2 diabetes– Consuming beta carotene control the risk of type 2 diabetes, carrots are also good for people with diabetes as Carotenoids inversely effects insulin resistance and lowers sugar.
Some other health benefits of carrots are
- Improves brain health
- Boost immunity
- Weight loss
- Protects liver
- Cleanse the body
- Controls BP
- Improves digestion
- Control inflammation
Carrots are very good for healthy skin. Carrots contain vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidants which protect our skin from various skin problems and improve skin health. Carrots give glowing skin, clear scars, protect from sun damage, dry skin and pigmentation.
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