Popping in a Vitamin A pill? Wait a minute, gorge on the crunchy power food, the yummy, red succulent carrot instead and get a shower of health benefits from this remarkable vegetable. Read on for gathering health facts about the juicy carrots:
Glowing complexion
Need to keep the skin protected from skin damage? Vitamin A and antioxidants are the answer! Dryness of skin, nails and hair may be because of a Vitamin A deficiency. Many beauty creams are prepared with Vitamin A that wards off acne, dry skin, blemishes, wrinkling and pigmentation.
Prevention of cancer
Recent research studies highlight that the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer maybe reduced by eating carrots because of the presence of certain anti-cancer elements called falcarindiol and falcarindiol in them. Falcarinol has the capability of protecting the roots of the carrots from various fungal diseases and is a natural pesticide that is produced within the carrot itself.
Good for the vision
Carrots have a precursor of Vitamin A that is called beta-carotene and this is good for the eyes. The liver converts the precursor into Vitamin A. The beta carotene provides the eyes protection against eye conditions like senile cataracts and macular degeneration. This vitamin is changed into rhodopsin in the retina and this is a must for the night vision.
Antiseptic properties
Raw and shredded carrot can be applied on cuts and wounds to keep the infection away. One can also use mashed carrot or apply carrot juice on the cuts.
Slows down the aging process
Regular metabolism causes a lot of damage to the cell and the cell damage results in aging. Beta carotene has antioxidants that helps reduce the aging process .
Helps flush out toxins
The body collects toxins and these toxins are thrown out from the body by different means. The Vitamin A reduces fat deposits and bile in the liver and helps in throwing out the toxins. Carrots also assist in the digestive process with the help of their fibers. These fibers assist the colon by moving the waste out of the body.
Lowers risk of heart disease
Carrots contain soluble fibers that attach themselves to the bile acids. They also contain alpha-carotene and lutein besides the beta-carotene that help in lowering the risk of heart complications. The cholesterol levels in the blood are said to reduce if carrots are consumed on a regular basis. Carrots are also noted to lower the chances of a stroke.
Clean the teeth and gums with carrots
Brush away those food particles and plague by chewing on the carrots. Carrots trigger the gums and prompt the oral cavity to produce the alkaline saliva that can ward off the bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria cause cavities by eating into the teeth enamel with its acids and thus carrots in the minerals protect the teeth.
Edited by Neelam Goswami on 21-03-2014.
