Carrots and Nutrition

Carrots are the mother of great nutrition. Do you realize what all they really do for your body? Let's explore this vegetable in detail here.

The nutrients in this great orange vegetable are many. Carotene is one of the main nutrients. In fact, no other source of food stores as much carotene. The carotene consumed with this vegetable, converts into vitamin A. There is also vitamins B, and C along with what is called calcium pectate. What is calcium pectate? Calcium pectate contains a special fiber that helps the body to lower cholesterol levels.

The carrot itself is a plant which inside, contains water that is rich in potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. When this great vegetable is cooked, the Vitamin A content is even greater along with even higher beta carotene levels. You are also getting the vitamin B6, essential to body health, copper, and folic acid, also play a role in optimal health.

The best way to get the most value out of this vegetable, is to chew it slowly and thoroughly. This will give you all of the benefits of the nutrition in the vegetable.

What else does this vegetable have?

There are oils which are included in this great orange vegetable that are good for the skin tone. They also contain carbohydrates along with composites which are nitrogenous.

Alpha Carotene is another very important part of this vegetable. Alpha carotene is a cancer-fighting mineral that can halt processes leading to tumor growth.

Phytochemicals that are found in your vegetables, and fruits, help to lower the risk of other health problems such as strokes and other cancers. Phytochemicals are compounds which are bioactive. Phytochemicals work with fiber against diseases, producing antioxidant effects good for the human body and weight.

Other things that the carrot can do is to help strenghten our immune system to fight off colds and flus.

Beta carotene also has the property of helping the human body to lessen photosensitivity and will help to ease withdraw symptoms from alcohol. Beta carotene is where this vegetable gets its orange color from if you have ever wondered.



This vegetable does grow in other colors beside orange. Let me explain:

Yellow forms of this vegetable contain lutene, which is very much alike beta carotene. This substance helps protect from eye disease and arteriosclerosis, (hardening of the arteries).

Red kinds of this vegetable have a different form of carotene called lycopene. This form of the vegetable helps to cut prostate cancers, and also heart diseases.

Purple forms of this vegetable contain that much more of beta carotene then their other relatives. The antioxidant anthocyanins, are helpful in the prevention of free radicals which are harmful.

White forms of this vegetable come from Afghanistan. They have compounds which are bioactive, and contain fiber that help to protect us from bad diseases.

And finally, black forms of this veggie also contain flavonoids, which are anti-cancer compounds. Flavonoids also contain agents that fight against bacteria. Properties which are also anti-fungicidal help control an itchy head, (scalp), and can also aid in growing your hair.

So for proper nutrition, and better health, consume a daily serving of 1 cup of natural carrots! Nothing is wrong with canned carrots, but as a whole, the freshly picked carrot is truly what provides your great daily values talked about here.