While the debate of either it is a fruit or a vegetable still stands, carrot (Daucus carota) remains a favorite, especially when it comes to children. This root now only adds color to our food but its sweetness also is a showstopper for most salads around the world. Carrot, with its nutrient-dense mineral component and stalk of diverse verities of vitamins, can do wonders for our health.
Carrot Nutrition
One serving of carrots is a half cup. One serving has:
- 25 calories
- 6 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of fiber
- 3 grams of sugar
- 5 grams of protein
A half-cup can give you up to:
- 73% of your daily requirement of vitamin A
- 9% of your daily vitamin K
- 8% of your daily potassium and fiber
- 5% of your daily vitamin C
- 2% of your daily calcium and iron
Let us see 15 amazing health benefits of carrot.
1. Boosts immunity
If you don’t want to fall sick easily then carrot is defiantly for you. The beta-carotene and vitamin A found in the carrot not only help in producing white blood cells which are the main guardians of our body but also improves our immune system.
2. Lowers cholesterol
Cholesterol is a well-known beacon for many harmful diseases in our body. Set your fears aside when carrot is on your rescue! Regular intake of carrot juice (at least 3 cups) can lower cholesterol in just 3 weeks! The potassium and soluble fiber found in carrot help you lower the blood cholesterol levels and keep you healthy. Thus, no more scary cholesterol issue!
3. Prevents cancer
Cancer has always grand devastating for humans. Even though the world currently doesn’t have a complete cure for cancer, there are several ways to lower the risks of this disease. According to the experts, beta-carotene and lycopene found in carrots are both excellent cancer fighters. While cancer medicines can cost a fortune, this common and cheap vegetable can save you from this deadly disease. This fact alone ensures a VIP entry for carrots in our daily menu.
4. Prevents heart disease
If you are looking for an adequate safeguard from heart diseases, then carrot is your shield. The soluble fiber in carrots can help lower blood cholesterol levels by binding with and eliminating mucus acids. Thus, cholesterol triggers would be pulled out from the bloodstream to form more bile acids. Studies have shown that a diet high in carotenoids is lowers the risk of developing a heart condition. Besides the antioxidants and Beta-carotene, carrots also aid the process of blood circulation which plays a vital role when it comes to gaining a healthy heart.
5. Reduces the risk of stroke
According to research conducted by the University of Harvard, people who consume over six carrots every week are much less likely to suffer from a stroke than those that ate only 1 carrot a month. Additionally, Beta-carotene present in carrots actively assists your arteries and smoothens blood flow that greatly dampens stroke risks.
6. Contributes to dental health
Carrots are also known as the natural tooth cleaners. Raw carrots have been hailed as a natural toothbrush for centuries. Its high cavity-fighting capabilities keep germs away and also helps maintain your mucus membranes.
Therefore, carrots are the direct protectors of your internal organs like the mouth and nasal cavity. This root veggie also exterminates the oral germs keeping our mouth and teeth safe against decay.
7. Aids skin-health
Nothing beats the feeling when your skin radiates a natural glow and spots disappear overnight… Speaking of healthy skin, carrots serve as your personal dermatologist! Carrots are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, especially folate and minerals like zinc.
These components are very beneficial to your skin. While antioxidants help your skin cells by repairing damaged cells and removing dead cells, folate helps you resist UV rays damage and zinc keeps the skin healthy.
8. Improves Digestion
The fibers and biotin contained in carrots which are both essentially good for our digestive system. Fiber can help in digesting food and smoothens the circulation of digested food in your body.
They also help in maintaining bowel health and sugar control. Biotin, on the other hand, aids you in processing protein, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. This, in turn, blesses your digestion immensely. So, goodbye constipation and gastric problems!
9. Nutrients Tank
Carrots contain a lot of vitamins and minerals which are necessary for our bodies. Sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin K, and vitamin C are essential compounds that our body needs daily. Thus, if staying fit is one of your concerns, a carrot is definitely your friend in need.
10. Improves eyesight
Eye diseases are the one most fearful thing in the world as they can literally risk the chances of leading to blindness. Nevertheless, elements assisting your eyes are rarer than normal. The lutein and zeaxanthin compounds present in carrot can aid you in resisting eye diseases and repair the eye cells.
They also help your neural core to function better. So, if you want better eye health than carrots are an undeniable option.
11. Works as an anti-aging agent
The anti-aging traits of carrots are another valid point to adjust carrots in your diet. The antioxidants in carrots help get rid of free radical damages and heal cells. Lutein and zeaxanthin in carrots aid in delaying muscle aging. Not to mention zinc and other compounds in carrot get rid of wrinkles, and in turn, invigorate your skins. So bye-bye early-aging!
12. Detoxes your kidneys
The kidneys are a very important organ of our body. Any issues regarding it can undoubtedly signal major harm for us, potentially causing your immune system to fall apart. Fortunately, the calcium and potassium found in carrots can help you detoxify your kidneys and improve their performance. So, this benefit should not be ignored as it relates to avoiding major body problems.
13. Speeds up the process of wound healing
It’s very normal to get wounded by small injuries like cuts, burns, and others alike when you are playing outside, cooking, or even experiencing minor accidents. The vitamins K, B and C found in carrots are extremely helpful in healing such injuries. Carrots also increase your white blood cell count which is directly responsible for wound healing. So carrots can offer you recovery abilities as well!
14. Cures inflammation
Carrots also have natural anti-inflammation aspects. The antioxidants– lycopene and beta-carotene, are very effective against all kinds of inflammations like soreness, pain, eruption, swelling, and tiredness.
15. Carotenoids
Carotenoids are one of the best components found in carrots. Not only do they help us in fat absorption but they are also an active agent assisting our vision, growth, anti-muscle, and nerve aging along with warding off minor diseases.
With massive varieties of health benefits, we extract from carrot consumption, there is no doubt regarding its contribution to our health and well-being. For those that don’t like carrots, it may be time to reconsider that decision.
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