Carrots - Health Benefits & Medicinal Benefits

Carrots eating Health Benefits & Medicinal Benefits

Carrots are often thought of as the ultimate health food. Generations of parents have told their children: "Eat your carrots, they are good for you," or "Carrots will help you see in the dark."

Carrots are found Purple, red, yellow, and white were grown .

Find out more about the nutrients in carrots, their health benefits, tips for eating more carrots, and any precautions.

Carrots were first grown in Asia. Carrots contain antioxidants, which may protect against cancer.

Vitamin A in carrots helps prevent vision loss.  Carrots are available all year round and can be used in savory dishes, cakes, and juices.

Benefits

Evidence suggests that eating more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, can help reduce the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Carrots are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Protect from Cancer

A variety of dietary carotenoids have been shown to have anti-cancer effects, due to their antioxidant power in reducing free radicals in the body.

Studies have found a possible link between diets rich in carotenoids and a lower risk of prostate cancer, but more evidence is needed to confirm whether the link is causal.

Lung Cancer

Carrots contain beta-carotene supplementation reduce the risk of lung cancer.

A study published found that people with a high intake of a variety of carotenoids had a 21 percent lower risk of lung cancer.

Colon Cancer

Consuming more beta-carotene may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Leukemia

A study found that carrot juice extract could kill leukemia cells and prevent leukemia progress.

Vision

Eating carrots contributes to vitamin A or carrots juice reduce night blindness.  A vitamin A deficiency can lead to xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease that can damage normal vision and result in night blindness, or the inability to see in low light or darkness.

Diabetes Control

The antioxidants and phytochemicals in carrots help regulate blood sugar.  Around a quarter of the carbohydrate in carrots is sugar, but the amount of carbohydrate in carrots is relatively small.

According to Harvard Health, the glycemic index of carrots is 39, meaning the impact on blood sugar is fairly low.

Blood Pressure

A half-cup serving of chopped carrot contains 1.8 grams (g) of fiber and 205 milligrams (mg) of potassium.  Before the age of 50 years, men need 38 g of fiber a day, and women need 25 g. After this age, women need 21 g per day, and men need 30 g.

Health authorities advise people to consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. The recommended intake of potassium is 4,700 mg.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommend consuming a fiber-rich diet and increasing potassium while reducing sodium intake to protect against high blood pressure and heart disease.

Immune function

Carrots contain vitamin C, an antioxidant. This helps boost the immune system and prevent disease. Vitamin C can help reduce the severity of a cold, and the length of time it lasts.

Nutrition

One cup of chopped carrots, containing 128 grams (g) of carrot, provides: 52 caloriesm, 12.26 grams (g) of carbohydrate, 3 g of sugars, 1.19 g of protein, 0.31 g of fat, 3.6 g of fiber, 1069 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A, 7.6 vitamin C, 42 mg of calcium, 0.38 mg of iron, 15 mg of magnesium, 45 mg of phosphorus, 410 mg of potassium, 88 mg of sodium, 0.31 mg of zinc, 24 mcg of folate, 16.9 mcg of vitamin K.

One cup of chopped carrots provides more than 100 percent of an average adult male or female's recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin A.

Antioxidants and color of carrots

The antioxidant beta-carotene gives carrots their bright orange color. Beta-carotene is absorbed in the intestine and converted into vitamin A during digestion.

Coloured carrots contain a variety of antioxidants that give them their color.  Purple carrots contain anthocyanin, and red carrots are rich in lycopene.

Risks

Overconsumption of vitamin A can be toxic to humans. It may cause a slight orange tinge in skin color, but this not harmful to health.

An overdose of vitamin A is unlikely to happen because of diet alone, but it may result from supplement use.

People who are taking medications derived from vitamin A, such as isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for acne or acitretin for psoriasis, should avoid eating large amounts of carrots, as they could lead to hypervitaminosis A, an overdose of vitamin A.

Any body starting a new medication should check with their doctor about any recommended dietary changes.