Carrots are vegetables that are widely used in various food preparations. You can process carrots into cakes, dishes, and even drinks. What are the health benefits of carrots? Come on, take a look at the following review!

Carrot Nutritional Content

Carrots are a type of root vegetable with a reddish-yellow or yellowish-orange color. When consumed directly, carrots have a crunchy texture with a slightly sweet flavor. Carrots come in various colors: yellow, white, orange, red, and purple.

The bright orange color of orange carrots comes from the high content of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A. Other nutrients found in 100 grams of carrots include:

• Calories: 41 Water: 88%
• Protein: 0.9 grams
• Carbohydrates: 9.6 grams
• Sugar: 4.7 grams
• Fiber: 2.8 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams

Carrots are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, potassium, vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), and vitamin B6. In addition, carrots also contain other antioxidants such as alpha-carotene, lutein, lycopene, polyacetylene, and anthocyanins.

Read more: Benefits Of Protein For The Health Of Children And Youth

Benefits of Carrots for Health

The high content of carotenoids in carrots gives many health benefits, including:

Reduces the risk of cancer

Carrots are rich in antioxidants and are therefore often associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Eating carrots that are high in carotenoids can help reduce the risk of several types of cancer, such as stomach, colon, and prostate cancer. Women with high levels of carotenoids in their bodies can also have a reduced risk of breast cancer.

Apart from carotenoids, the antioxidant lycopene present in carrots also has the potential to fight cancer. Not only that, lycopene content is also often associated with vascular health and is good for preventing cardiovascular disorders.

Lower cholesterol levels in the blood

According to WebMD, consuming carrots in your daily diet can help lower blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is one of the risk factors for heart disease. Eating carrots either by steaming, sautéing or roasting, is believed to help lower cholesterol.

Also read: Benefits Of Red Rice For Baby Health

Maintain ideal body weight

Not only are they rich in fiber, but when compared to other vegetables, carrots contain 88% water, which helps give a sense of fullness. Eating carrots is also associated with lower obesity rates and body mass index. Carrots are also low in calories, making them safe for daily consumption without worrying about becoming overweight.

Maintaining the health of the eye

You've likely heard about the remarkable benefits of carrots, particularly their role in maintaining eye health. This advantage stems from their abundant supply of vitamin A and carotenoids. Surprisingly, just one large carrot can meet your daily requirement of vitamin A, making it a simple and delicious way to support your vision and overall health.

Carrots contain two carotenoids, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which help maintain eye health. Other antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin can also help maintain eye health. Both of these natural substances effectively protect the retina and lens of the eye.

Maintain blood sugar balance

According to the Health page, carrots contain anti-diabetic compounds. In a review published in the journal Food and Nutrition Sciences, it was mentioned that people who have low carotenoid levels have higher sugar levels and higher fasting insulin levels.

The soluble fiber content in carrots can help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels after meals. Raw or par-cooked carrots also have a low glycemic index, which is good for your daily energy source.

The carotenoids in carrots are not only good for maintaining eye health but also for maintaining balanced blood sugar levels and other health benefits. Although carrots are a healthy food to consume, consuming them in excess can increase digestive problems. If you have questions about nutrition, you can utilize the consultation feature on the Ai Care app or consult a doctor.

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