Carrots are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and protect against many diseases.
But have you ever wondered what happens when you start eating carrots every day? In this article, we are going to be talking about the amazing health benefits of adding carrots to your diet.
The benefits of carrots
Carrots have been famous for a long time now. The favourite snack of the bugs bunny, the go-to puree for little babies and the dreaded snack for a teenager with specs. But, as the processed and ultra-processed foods took to the market, simple veggies like carrots have lost their charm and humans have lost the benefits associated with them. While carrots were earlier applauded for their taste, colour and the benefits, it is high time we bring them back into our stomach and our plates to make sure that we receive their abundance of nutrients and health benefits.
Here we list 10 reasons why you should eat carrots
Improved vision
The vibrant red or orange colour present in the carrots is an obvious sign of their richness in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision and preventing night blindness which helps you be free from the bane of having to put on glasses to see 15cm away. So, including carrots in your diet is going to help you get rid of the blurry vision and prevent the glasses.
Improved skin health
Carrots are packed with antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin C, that helps your body and skin keep away any outside dirt and combat free radical damage, which in turn promotes healthy skin. The Vitamin C amount present in carrots, also aids in collagen production, keeping your skin youthful and elastic.
For a quick dish, that is refreshing, crunchy and packed with nutrients, simply grate some carrots and cabbage and then mix them up with hung curd or a creamy dressing. Add in some nuts to the mix and enjoy your carrot coleslaw with chips or bread.
Immunity boosters
A good source of Vitamin B6 and C, carrots make sure that your immune system does not hang out to dry. Both the vitamins contribute to a strong immune system and help keep away any sort of infections, flus or disease that come your way. Plus, Vitamin B6 supports the production of antibodies which helps you in speedy recovery post an infection.
Better digestion
Carrots are rich in fiber, which is an important source for maintaining a healthy digestive system. It supports a healthy gut and regular bowel movement which helps you stay energised and active through the day. Plus, fiber prevents constipation and bloating so that you don’t face a bad-image day. For an amazing recipe, try having gajar ka halwa with stevia instead of regular sugar. Grate the carrots fine and well and then boil them with mix and wait for it to thicken. In the end, add in stevia according to your taste instead of sugar, and you will have created a low-cal dessert.
Weight-loss
Carrots are an excellent choice for weight loss or maintenance because of their low calorie and low fat content. Plus, it is high in water and fiber levels which helps you feel full and satiated. Their filling nature helps curb hunger, reducing the urge for unnecessary snacking. With their nutrient-rich profile, carrots support weight loss by reducing excessive between-meal eating.
Lower your cholesterol levels
Carrots contain soluble fiber, which helps bind to cholesterol in the digestive tract and prevent its absorption into the bloodstream. This can contribute to lowering bad cholesterol levels and improving heart health. A cup of sliced carrots or adding carrots to your mixed veggies or even in salads can help cut your cholesterol levels while keeping you full.
Reduce your cancer risk
According to a study titled ‘Carrot Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study of 57,053 Danes’ mentions that “Several meta-analysis studies on carrot consumption have indicated that carrots play a central role as a protecting vegetable against development of different types of cancers. A cancer-preventive role of carrots is plausible because they are the main dietary source of the bioactive polyacetylenic oxylipins falcarinol (FaOH) and falcarindiol (FaDOH), which have shown anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activity in numerous in vitro studies.”
Improve brain health
Carrots have several nutrients that are important for brain health. Vitamins such as K1, folate and potassium play an important role in supporting cognitive function, memory retention and making learning easy. Another good recipe to try would be carrot fries. This will work great if you have an air fryer or a microwave to bake the fries crisp. Simply chop some carrots roughly, grease them with olive oil and peppers of your choice, then bake or air-fry it till crisp for an amazing alternative to potato fries.
Promotes better breath
Carrots are naturally crunchy and fibrous, which helps stimulate saliva production. Saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria from the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Plus, according to Portman Dental Care, ‘Carrots have been hailed as a cavity fighting vegetable, as munching on sticks of crunchy, raw carrot acts as a natural toothbrush. The chewing action massages your gums, and this bright vegetable is high in plaque-attacking keratin as well as Vitamin A, which is crucial for strengthening delicate tooth enamel.”
Great water content
Although they have a firm texture, carrots have an impressive amount of water content, i.e., 90% of a carrot is made up of water. This is especially beneficial when the temperatures are high or after regular exercise or heavy lifting has drained you out. Therefore, incorporating carrots into your diet can be a simple and effective way to ensure optimal hydration, along with normally drinking water.
Source: timesofindia
