Health Benefits of Carrots

Believe it or not but carrots can be extremely beneficial to your health. Loaded with beta carotene, a natural pigment used by the body to make Vitamin A and has a good amount of fibre. As the saying goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” well in this case a raw carrot a day helps to address any constipation problems. Carrots are rich in potassium and can help maintain healthy cholesterol and prevent heart diseases. You can boil them, juice them, or add them to your salads.

Herewith are 7 reasons why you should add carrots to your grocery list next time you go veggie-shopping.

Eyes

As a child your parents always told you to eat your carrots so you can see better, well, it’s true. Carrots are regarded as a fool-proof traditional remedy to improve eyesight. Carrots are rich in lycopene and lutein and which in turn help to maintain good eyesight and night vision.

Weight Loss

Weight loss diets require that you include foods that are high in fibre, this is where carrots are great for those trying to lose a few kilos. Carrots have both soluble and insoluble fibres. Fibre takes the longest to digest it will promote a feeling of fullness thus preventing you from bingeing on fattening foods.

Bowel Regularity and Digestion

To maintain a good digestive system, you require a significant amount of fibre and that is where carrots play an important role. Fibre helps make your stool bulky, thus making it pass smoothly through the digestive tract, preventing conditions like constipation.

Cholesterol and Heart Health

The high fibre in carrots can also boost heart health, it helps to remove the excess LDL cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and arteries. An extract from the book ‘Healing Foods‘ by DK Publishing says that “carrots contain a form of calcium easily assimilated by the body that may help lower “unhealthy ” (LDL) cholesterol levels.”

Blood Pressure

Carrots are packed with potassium which helps to relax the tension in blood vessels and arteries thereby enhancing blood flow circulation and bringing down your elevated BP. High blood pressure is the main cause of conditions like strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis.

Skin Health

Carrots contain beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene, as well as a high amount of silicon, which promotes healthy skin and nails. So, if you want to give your skin that radiant glow, make sure to eat loads of raw carrots.

Immunity

Carrots are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which contribute to bone health, a stronger nervous system and can improve brain power. The antioxidants in carrots can apart from help guard the body against harmful bacteria, viruses, and inflammation.

So, stock up on your carrot supply and start improving your overall health by munching on a carrot a day……