Whether taken wholesome or juiced, carrot health benefits can never be overemphasized!
A lot of people have come to understand the health benefits of making fruits and vegetables an indispensable part of their diet. However, having a general knowledge that fruits and vegetables are good for the body is quite different from specifically knowing what each one does in the body.
Carrots are one of the root vegetables that we should make part of our daily food intake. Their nutritional as well as health benefits can never be overemphasized. Carrots are excellent sources of pro-vitamin A, vitamins C, D, E, K, B1 and B6. They are also rich with biotin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, organic sodium and some trace minerals. Whether you take it wholesome, or make juice out of it, carrot health benefits can never be overemphasized. They are complete treasures!
Here Are 10 of the Vital things Carrots do in the body:
This is the general function of carrots in the body. Beta-carotene is one of the most antioxidants in carrots, and it helps the immune system to target and destroy disease-causing germs in the body. The body can only change so much beta-carotene into Vitamin A, so, the remaining excess does the work of boosting the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant in its own right. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage to cells, tissues and most importantly to the fat in our bloodstream that can lead to blocked arteries, heart disease, stroke and other deadly ailments.
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Carrots are a great source of vitamins, especially, vitamin A. One of the most vital nutrients contained in carrots is the beta-carotene, a wonderful source of vitamin A which ensures good eyesight and generally improves the immune system. In the retina, Vitamin A is transformed to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta-carotene has also been known to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts.
Carrots are valuable sources of antioxidant vitamins as well as fibre, which benefit the digestive system by facilitating the processes of digestion. Carrots also contain large amounts of Vitamin B complexes which help in breaking down glucose, fat and protein. So they help in building the muscles, increasing our metabolism and thus, helping in weight loss. As a good source of anti-oxidants, carrots also go a long way in helping the body burn down excess cholesterol.
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Potassium helps reduce skin dryness and reduces scars and blemishes. It also gives life to your skin by improving the skin tone. Therefore, the potassium in carrots helps improve hydration and thus keep your skin moisturized. The fact is that when the processes of digestion happen in the right way, toxins are hardly piled up in the body, hence, giving your skin a glow and lustre that is admirable. It also helps to heal and prevent skin diseases because its powerful cleansing properties are effective in detoxifying the liver, thus effective for acne reduction and elimination which are caused by toxicity of the blood.
According to recent researches conducted on cancer reduction and cure, it was discovered that taking just a root of carrot everyday reduces one’s chances of becoming a victim of cancer. Carrots contain a phyto-nutrient called falcarinol which helps in promoting colon health and reducing the risk of cancers. It also helps in controlling or preventing various kinds of stomach ailments. The abundance of nutrients present in carrots help nourish cells that have been starved of nutrients which result in ulcers.
The crunchy nature of carrots give them the ability to clean your teeth and mouth while being chewed. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste. Carrots stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva, which being alkaline, balances out the acid and cavity-forming bacteria. The minerals in carrots also prevent tooth damage.
Daily intake of carrots can prevent the onset of heart diseases and strokes. Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein.
According to a new study published in the October 6th issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, squeezing 9 to 10 servings of fruit into your daily diet can reduce the risk of stroke by 31 percent.
Carrots are rich in vitamins and minerals. The vitamins helps the expectant mother to fight infections and diseases. On the other hand, calcium, which carrots also supply is highly recommended for a healthy and strong bone formation for the unborn child. It also reduces the chances of jaundice in newly born babies.
Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out toxins from vital organs of the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fibers present in carrots help clean out the colon and hasten waste movement. When the liver functions well, it prevents the accumulation of fat and aids rapid digestion, preventing weight gain and obesity.
The carrot soup has been found an effective natural remedy for diarrhoea. It supplies fluid to combat dehydration, replenishes sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur and magnesium. It is a good source of pectin and coats the intestines to allay inflammation. It checks the growth of harmful bacteria and prevents vomiting. It is especially useful for children.
1/2 Kg. of carrot may be cooked in 150 ml. of water until it is soft. The pulp should be strained. Three-quarter tablespoon of salt may be added and a small amount of the soup should be given to the patient every half an hour. Recovery usually sets in 24 hours later.
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