Carrots, root vegetable of mountain origin, is considered a very healthy food around the globe. These were first grown in the Hindukush regions of South East Asia. In this article, we are going to look at the ten proven internal health benefits of carrots.
Carrots have been cultivated in a variety of colors, such as yellow, orange, purple, etc. Carrots are rich in various health beneficial-nutrients including antioxidants, fibers, carotenes, etc. Some of the incredible health benefits of carrots are as follows.
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Proven Health Benefits of Carrots:
1. Improves Vision
The first health benefit of carrot comes with improving the eye vision. Carrots are a rich source of carotenoids such as β-carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin, etc. β-carotenes are converted into Vitamin A in the human body.
This vitamin is the component of the photopigment of rods cells of the retina. Consuming carrots reduces the risk of night blindness and retinal (macular) degeneration during old age (1, 2).
2. Keeps Skin Healthy
Skin gets dry and thick whenever vitamin A is deficient. Carrots, being a source of carotenoids and antioxidants, prevents the dryness and the early aging, and make skin soft, firm, and smooth.
Carrots also tend to reduce the dermatological manifestations of psoriasis as it provides vitamin A as well as Vitamin C and other antioxidants.
3. Prevents Cancer
Carotenoids and Bioflavonoids are concentrated in the carrots which can strengthen the cancer-fighting aspects of the human body. Carrots preclude the chances of colon and stomach cancer (3, 4).
Men and women who add carrots and carrot juice to their diet have reduced chances of developing prostate and breast cancer because of all the carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, etc (5, 6).
4. Keeps you Young
Another health benefit of Carrot comes with its anti-aging food compound. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the cells. This damage by free radicals is the basis behind aging. Carrots are rich in antioxidants; thus, keeps a person young and healthy.
Wrinkling, dryness of skin, pigmentation, and uneven tone are all prevented by consuming carrots, which is rich in Vitamin A.
5. Reduces Weight
The fiber in carrots decreases its caloric value and makes it an excellent food for weight loss purposes. It causes early fullness; thus, a person eats less and loses weight (7).
6. Lower Cholesterol
High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and symptoms of heart blockage. As we know carrots are rich in fiber. It promotes the excretion of bile acids and fats as well as prevents the reabsorption of bile acids; thus, reducing the total cholesterol levels (8)
7. Protects Heart and Prevent Stroke
Since carrots lower cholesterol levels in the body, they also reduce the chances of heart diseases and helps it stay healthy. Even a study has proven these health benefits of carrots (9).
The risks of atherosclerosis and subsequent stroke also reduce markedly. Besides the cholesterol-lowering effect, the carotenoids also have a protective effect on the heart.
8. Reduced Infection
Carrots, being a rich source of vitamins like that of C, B6, A, etc., boost up the body’s immune system and provides protection against various infections. Ancient people used to rub pieces of carrots over wounds.
9. Good for Diabetics
Carrots are food with a low glycemic index and are very useful for diabetic patients in controlling blood sugar levels. β-carotenes are present in abundance in the carrots, and studies have revealed that this compound suppresses diabetes (10).
Carotenoids also have the ability to prevent Type II Diabetes Mellitus from occurring (11).
10. Purifies your Body
The benefits of carrots as the body purifiers are well-known. One of the compounds present in the carrots purifies the body. Vitamin A is that compound. It helps the liver in cleaning out the toxins present in the body and also purifies the blood.
The fiber which is present in carrots cleanse the intestines and promote overall good health.
Carrots and its juice should be added to the diet since they provide the body with all the good things. But it should be noticed whether it is grown in healthy soil. A good amount of carrot in diet can keep you fit, young, healthy, and protected from various diseases.
