How Africa News
Known as the ‘crunchy power food’, carrots are prominent for their ample supply of vitamin A.
According to Real Food For Life, here are the health benefits of carrots.
Improves vision
There’s some truth in the old wisdom that carrots are good for your eyes. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver.
Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision.
Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts.
A recent study found that people who eat large amounts of beta-carotene had a 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little.
Helps prevent cancer
Series of scientific studies have revealed that carrots reduce the risk of lung, breast, and colon cancer.
Falcarinol, a natural pesticide produced by carrot, protects its roots from fungal diseases. Carrot is a common source of this compound.
Slows down aging
The high level of beta-carotene in carrots acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. It slows down the aging of cells.
Promotes healthy skin
Vitamin A and antioxidants protect the skin from sun damage.
Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes and uneven skin tone.
Helps prevent infection
Carrots are known to prevent infection. They can be used on cuts; shredded raw or boiled and mashed.
Skin smoothener
Carrots are used as an inexpensive and very convenient facial mask. Just mix grated carrot with a bit of honey.
Prevents heart disease
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.
Regular consumption of carrots also reduces cholesterol levels because the soluble fibers in carrots bind with bile acids.
Cleanses the body
Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out 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.
Protects teeth and gums
It’s all in the crunch. Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste would do.
Carrots stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva, which, being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria.
The minerals in carrots also prevent tooth damage.
Prevents stroke
From all the above benefits, it’s no surprise that in a Harvard University study, people who ate five or more carrots a week were less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate only one carrot a month or less.
