The carrot is a root vegetable which has an Indo-European origin. The tap-root of this vegetable is the edible part and it is considered to be nutritious and good for health. It is a rich source of many different nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, iron, etc. The chemical known as beta-carotene makes carrot an important food source in fighting several health problems. The nutrients present in raw carrots are destroyed once they are cooked. Thus, raw carrots health benefits are much higher than cooked ones.
Health Benefits of Carrots
The various health benefits and nutritional facts of carrots are mentioned in the following paragraphs. Prevention of cancers and heart attacks are among the important health benefits of carrots. There are many other benefits of carrot intake discussed in detail in the following article.
Prevention of Cancer
The chemical called beta-carotene is useful in the prevention of many types of cancers including lung cancer. As per studies conducted, the intake of carrot reduces colon cancer risk by 24%. Women who consume carrots are less prone to the development of breast cancer as well.
Protection from Heart Diseases
The importance of carrot intake in preventing heart problems has been emphasized by doctors and research teams. As per the research conducted at Wolfson Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Edinburgh, cholesterol levels reduce by 11% in a matter of three weeks if 7 oz. of carrots are included in the daily diet. Studies conducted at the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, Italy indicate that the risk of heart attacks is reduced by 1/3 in those who consume carrots regularly.
Prevention of Diabetes
Carrots help in reducing blood sugar levels by inversely affecting insulin resistance. The carotenoids present in carrot juice are useful for the regulation of sugar levels.
Prevention of Strokes
The chances of a person suffering from strokes are reduced by 68% if carrots are included in the daliy diet. As per studies conducted, those with high levels of beta carotenoids in the body have a greater chance of surviving strokes.
Reduces Macular Degeneration
The beta-carotene present in carrots reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 40%. The disease affects the macula and is mostly found in elder/aging people.
Purple Carrot Health Benefits
Purple carrots have all the phytochemicals present in the orange one, plus antioxidants and anthocyanins. Apart from being antioxidant in nature, the phytochemicals present in these carrots are anti-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial.
Other Carrots Health Benefits
The appearance/look of hair, skin and nails improves a lot with the intake of carrots. It also helps lower high blood pressure as well as the level of cholesterol. The quality of breast milk is enhanced/improved by the regular intake of carrots. Infections are kept at bay if carrots are consumed on a regular basis. Carrots are also considered to be good for endocrine and adrenal glands. Improvement in eyesight, increase in menstrual flow, regulation of blood sugars and promotion of colon health are some of the other carrots health benefits. The intake of carrots also helps in overcoming problems such as night blindness, sexual dysfunction, lower sexual drive, long term cough, etc. Moreover, it also helps in strengthening the kidney.
The information in the article presented above provides us with the knowledge about the different health benefits of carrots. Raw carrots health benefits are much higher than cooked carrots. One should, however, make it a point to include carrots, either raw or cooked, in their diet on a regular basis.
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