An Old Polish Saying states “If your husband is old and Weak you must get him to drink the juice from two big carrots and one firm Celery” (Blog on Celery follows in a couple of Weeks)
Carrots are a good source of immune supportive Vitamin C, K, A, B6, B1, B2, Niacin and Folate. Carrots also contain Phosphorous, Manganese, Molybdenum Dietary fiber and Potassium.
- Beta – Carotene: Carrots have the highest beta-carotene helps to protect against damage caused by Free Radicals.
- Healthy Vision: Vitamin A in Carrots are needed for healthy vision as well as the maintenance of mucous membrane.
- Night Vision: Vitamin A in Carrots helps in preventing night blindness. Vitamin A combines with the protein opsin in the rods of the retina to form visual purple (Rhodopsin), a substance in the eye which is needed for good night vision.
- Anti-Cancer Benefits: Researchers have found that eating only one fibre rich carrot a day reduced the risk of Colon cancer by 24%. It is also beneficial in Breast cancer. Where Lung cancer is concerned, Current Smokers who did not consume carrots showed a three fold risk of developing lung cancer, compared with those smokers who ate them regularly.
- Cholesterol: The Regular consumption of Carrots also reduces Cholesterol levels because the Soluble fibre in carrots bind with bile salts.
- Heart Disease: Carrots contain Beta-Carotene, Alpha carotene and Lutein, Carotenoids which lower risk of heart disease.
- Liver Cleanse: The Vitamin A in Carrots helps the Liver in flushing out the toxins from the body.
- Healthy Skin: Carrots contain an abundant amount of Vitamin A and other antioxidants which protects against various skin problem and maintain skin health. Also Carrots contain Vitamin C that aids the collagen production in the body, thus preventing wrinkles.
- Probiotic Beverage : We know that Fermented foods are good for the Gut, and are good Probiotics for the body.*Kanji (an Indian Fermented drink made from black carrots in the winter and red carrots plus beetroot in the Summer) is a traditional probiotic which can be enjoyed with a meal or an aperitif.
- Snacking: Lightly steamed bright red Carrots are the best snack option. Delicious and not processed, they are better than crisps and wafers and are good for the body.
Note: Surprising facts, but Carrots are more Nutritious eaten cooked that raw. Cooking breaks down the cell membrane, and when mixed with a Meal containing some good fat, the body can absorb Upto 50 percent of the Carotene, as Opposed to less than 25 percent when eaten raw.
Caution
Too High doses of Vitamin A can be harmful to the Liver or Damage an unborn baby So Please don’t Overdose on the Carrots.