Care for a Carrot

Posted by Ajju

July 18, 2008

The next time you feel like eating an ice cream or gulab jamun reach out for half of a cup gajar ka halwa made of low fat milk you can get more benefits than you might have imagined.

Known scientifically as Daucus Carota, carrots are high in fiber, carotene, potassium, thiamin, niacin, vitamin b6, folate and manganese. It is also excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes.

These antioxidant compunds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also promote good vision especially night vision. 100 gms of carrot contains about 1890 IU carotene. Beta carotene again helps to protect vision. After getting converted to Vitamin A in the liver, it travels to retina and transformed into rhodopsin, a pigment necessary for night vision. Besides, beta-caretene’s powerful antioxidants actions provide protection against the development of cataract (leading cause of blindness in elderly people).

Carrots also contain small amounts of carbohydrates, essential oils and nitrogenous composites which have sweetening, anti-anaemic, healing, diuretic, re-mineralising and sedative properties. Carrots can also improve appearance of skin, hair and nails, and can promote colon health as they are rich in fiber. Carrot juice everyday prevents bodily infections and is valuable for adrenal glands.

Diet and Health Tips