Carrots: Top 10 powerful nutritional & health benefits

Carrots have countless health such as reducing cholesterol levels, improving vision, reducing signs of premature aging among others. Carrots are one of the most widely used and delicious root vegetables in the world. This can be because they grow easily. Besides their delicious flavor, carrots contain high amounts of beta-carotene. They also contain other health-benefitting compounds such as vitamin A, minerals and antioxidants.

What are Carrots?

Carrots are truly a superfood because they’re not just healthy, but they can also be eaten in many ways. You can steam them, eat them raw or even cook them if you like. Carrots offer several health benefits and are particularly beneficial for organs such as the eyes, skin, digestive system and teeth.
They are very versatile in a number of dishes and cultural cuisines. They come in variety of colors such as orange, purple, white, yellow, and red. The taproot of the carrot is the part of the vegetable most commonly eaten, although the greens are also beneficial in salads.

Surprising health benefits of carrots

1. Improves heart health

Maintain a healthy heart and live longer by having an adequate intake of carrots. Research shows that women who eat more orange colored vegetables lower their risks of developing heart diseases. Other studies show that carrot juice can have a neutralizing effect on the damage caused by oxidation. This helps the body defend itself against the dangers of heart disorders.

2. Lowers cholesterol

Carrots contain high amounts of soluble fiber, largely from pectin. Due to this, they reduces cholesterol levels. A study in U.S reveals that, participants who ate about a cup of carrot each day for three weeks, has low blood cholesterol levels.

3. Cleanses the body

Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fiber present in carrots helps clean out the colon and hasten waste movement.

4. Boost immunity

Carrots contain a number of antiseptic and antibacterial abilities. This makes them ideal for boosting the immune system. Besides, they are a rich source of vitamin C. This stimulates the activity of white blood cells which is one of the most important elements in the human immune system.

5. Anti-ageing

Carrots also contain Vitamin C that aids the collagen production in the body. Collagen is a type of protein that is vital for the maintenance of the skin elasticity. It also helps prevent wrinkles and slows the process of aging. Vitamin A, being an antioxidant, also attacks the free radicals to prevent the signs of aging such as wrinkles and pigmentation.

6. Improves vision

There’s some truth in the old wisdom that carrots are good for your eyes. They won’t cure preexisting vision problems, but they can protect against sight issues due to vitamin A deficiency. The body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A and that’s important for healthy eyes. Moreover, they can prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as night blindness.

7. Healthy teeth and gums

It’s all in this delicious vegetable! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles. They stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva. This being alkaline, balances out the acid and reduces cavity forming bacteria.  The minerals in them also prevents tooth damage.

8. Aids in wound healing

Carrots possess great healing qualities. Raw or grated carrots can be applied to wounds, cuts, and inflammation for quick healing. Their anti-inflammatory properties help to revitalize and tone the skin. You can however test this benefit yourself by taking a diet rich in carrot after getting a scrape or cut. You will notice the speedy recovery.

9. Prevents hair loss

Carrots are great for preventing hair loss. They provide your hair with vital vitamins which makes them stronger, thicker and shinier. Consuming them makes your hair healthy. This is the best benefit of carrot for the hair.

10. Helps in digestion

Carrots, like most vegetables, have significant amounts of dietary fiber in their roots. Fiber is one of the most important elements in maintaining good digestive health. Fiber also adds bulk to stool. This helps it pass smoothly through the digestive tract. It also stimulates food movement and the secretion of gastric juices. Altogether, this reduces the severity of conditions such as constipation. Besides, it protects your colon and stomach from various serious illnesses such as colorectal cancer.