Carrots are one of the most popular root vegetables in the United States.
At first, carrots were grown in Middle Eastern countries and Central Asia for medical purposes.
Actually, the first carrots were not orange. They were black, purple, yellow, red and white. The carrots that we know today appeared in the 16 century as a cross breed of yellow and red carrots.
According to many people, the name carrot comes from beta-carotene, which is found in abundance in carrots. However, beta-carotene got its name from carrots.
Carrots must be eaten in moderation as they contain a lot of sugar. On the other side, eating carrots will bring you a lot of benefits, such as a healthy nervous system, strong bones and protection from stroke and heart disease.
Benefits of eating carrots
Carrots are very beneficial for your health. They can even be eaten as a raw or cooked snack, with or without a dip.
• Heart disease
Carrots, as well as other fruits and vegetables with deep orange color lower the chances of having a coronary heart disease.
Eating carrots regularly also reduces the chances of heart attacks in women.
• Cancer
Beta-carotene, as well as other antioxidants found in carrots, protects from cancer. According to research, smokers how eat carrots regularly reduce the chances of lung cancer, while a diet rich in beta-carotene reduces the chances of prostate cancer.
Other studies also show that carrots and beta-carotene reduce the chances of colon and gastric cancer, as well as leukemia.
A natural toxin in falcarinol, which protects carrots from fungal disease, also stimulates the body to fight the development of tumors.
• Vision
Vitamin A deficit leads to vision problems. Luckily, beta-carotene is able to restore vision.
Regular consumption of carrots also reduces the chances of developing glaucoma and lutein in carrots reduces the chances of having cataract.
• Brain health
Carrots and carrot extract improves cognitive function, aids in the management of cognitive dysfunctions, reduces decline of cognitive function in middle age, lowers cholesterol and improves memory.
• Liver health
Your liver can be protected from the toxic environmental chemicals with carrot extract.
• Anti-inflammatory benefits
The anti-inflammatory effects of carrot extract are even more effective than the anti-inflammatory effects of some well-known anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
• Anti-aging properties
As carrots are rich with antioxidants, anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acid, they are excellent in preventing cellular aging.
• Skin health
Besides preventing premature aging and cell damage, beta-carotene in carrots protects the skin from the sun.
Carotenoids even make the skin on your face look more attractive and healthy.
• Oral health
Eating carrots can protect you from cavities if you eat them after a meal. They also clean the teeth as they increase the production of saliva.
Storing and preparing carrots for best nutrition
There is a healthy way to eat cooked carrots. According to studies, cooked carrots are even more beneficial than raw carrots.
Carrots also go excellent in combination with cabbage and as a juice. You can also eat them together with their peel as the most nutritious ingredients are immediately below the skin. However, always use organic carrots when eating the peel.
Carrots are one of the products that contain most pesticide residues, so try to consume only organic carrots.
Store the carrots in a sealed plastic bag or a paper towel in the coolest part of the fridge to keep them fresh for 2 weeks. Don’t store them near potatoes, pears and apples, as ethylene gas from these products makes carrots bitter.
Remove the green tops from the carrots before you put them in the fridge, but don’t throw them away. These nutritious parts of carrots are excellent addition to your vegetable juice.
You should also buy whole carrots, instead of the popular baby carrots. Whole carrots are healthier and cheaper.
Baby carrots are carrots that are shaved down to a smaller size and their shelf life is usually prolonged with chlorine.
Carrot coconut soup
If you want to try something else besides plain carrots, try this simple soup that is nutritious and easy to prepare.
Needed time: 30 minutes
Needed ingredients:
• 2 cups of sliced carrots
• 5 oz. of coconut milk
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons of sliced ginger
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric or curry powder
• 1 cup of sweet potatoes, cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon and 3 cups of bone broth
• 4 cloves of chopped garlic
• Salt and white pepper (optional)
• 5 oz. of coconut milk
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons of sliced ginger
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric or curry powder
• 1 cup of sweet potatoes, cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon and 3 cups of bone broth
• 4 cloves of chopped garlic
• Salt and white pepper (optional)
Preparation:
1. Chop the onion and let it rest for 5 minutes.
2. Heat one tablespoon of broth and sauté the onion for 5 minutes. Stir often.
3. Add the ginger and the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
4. Then, add the turmeric.
5. Add the sweet potato, the carrots and the broth and sauté for 15 minutes.
6. Add the coconut milk.
7. Blend the mix.
8. Return it to the pot and reheat it.
2. Heat one tablespoon of broth and sauté the onion for 5 minutes. Stir often.
3. Add the ginger and the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
4. Then, add the turmeric.
5. Add the sweet potato, the carrots and the broth and sauté for 15 minutes.
6. Add the coconut milk.
7. Blend the mix.
8. Return it to the pot and reheat it.
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