9 Health Benefits of Carrots

Carrots are root vegetables that are typically orange in color, though black, white, red, and purple varieties of carrot exist. These varieties all descend from the wild carrot, Daucus carota, which comes from Europe and southwest Asia. Persia was the origin of this plant and it was originally cultivated for its seeds and leaves. Among the plant's parts that are commonly consumed are its roots, stems, and leaves. Unlike conventional carrots produced in foreign countries, the domestic carrot has a much larger, more palatable, and less woody taproot.

An umbellifer, or member of the Apiaceae family, carrots are biennial plants. While growing the enlarged taproot, it initially grows a rosette of leaves. Plants that mature quickly will reach full maturity in three months after sowing, while plants that mature slowly will take a month longer. Alpha- and beta-carotene are abundant in the roots and they contain vitamins K and B6 in sufficient amounts.

Carrot Cultivation:

In the right conditions, carrots can mature within 70 to 80 days, although they can take up to four months to grow from seed. Ideally, they should grow in full sunlight but can thrive in partial shade. A temperature of 16 to 21 degrees Celsius is ideal. It should be deep, loose, and well-drained, sandy or loamy, and have a pH between 6.3 and 6.8.

Because the crop requires low nitrogen levels, moderate phosphate levels, and high potash levels, fertilizer should be applied accordingly to soil types. If you grow your plant in rich and rocky soil, the roots will become hairy and/or misshapen. Keep the soil moist by applying irrigation when necessary. As soon as the sprouts emerge, the crop is thinned to a spacing of eight to ten centimeters and weeded to prevent competition under the soil.

9 Health Benefits of Carrots:

Adding them to your regular diet has several well-known health benefits –

1.Carrots Can Helps to Improvise the Vision:

We got one of the few things right when we said carrots are good for the eyes. Among carrots' many benefits is the presence of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the liver. Rhodopsin, a purple pigment required for night vision, is formed from vitamin A in the retina. In addition to protecting against macular degeneration and senile cataracts, beta-carotene has also been linked to improvements in eyesight. Beta-carotene appears to reduce macular degeneration risk by 40 percent in people who consume the most of it compared with those who consume a little.

2.Carrots are Good for Weight Management:

Along with fiber and water, carrots are also a good source of vitamin A. The water content of carrot is 88 percent. Their combination promotes fullness. They are also low in fat and calories. An average cup of chopped carrots contains only 52 calories. Carrots may also reduce belly fat because they contain soluble fiber.

3.Carrots May Helps to Lower Cancer Risk:

There is evidence that carrots may reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including lung, prostate, colorectal, and leukemia. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, carotenoid antioxidants reduce the risk of lung cancer by 21 percent in people who take large amounts.

4. Carrots May Help Blood Pressure Regulation:

Carrots are high in potassium, which is important for controlling blood pressure. By balancing sodium level and helping to have excess sodium and fluids removed from the body, it relieves the pressure on the heart. Hence, carrots are an excellent choice if you want to get rid of bloating after eating too much salty food.

5.Carrots May Helps to Prevent Heart Disease:

It has been demonstrated that diets high in carotenoids lower the risk of heart disease.  Additionally, carrots are filled with beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lutein. Regularly eating carrots can reduce cholesterol levels due to their soluble fibres that bind to bile acids.

6.Carrots May Helps to Cleanse the Body:

As toxins are flushed from the body through the liver, vitamin A plays an important role. Vitamin A reduces the amount of fat and bile in the liver. Carrots contain fibres that cleanse the colon and help to move waste out.

7.Carrots May Helps to Get Healthy Teeth and Gums:

The roots of carrots clean teeth and gums. In the same way as toothbrushes and toothpaste, they remove plaque and food particles.  Carrots stimulate gums and cause a lot of saliva to be released, which is alkaline, and helps balance out the bacteria that cause cavities.  Carrots contain minerals that help prevent tooth decay.

8. Carrots May Help to Get Healthy Glowing Skin:

Their vitamin A and antioxidant content helps to prevent sun damage to the skin. The skin, hair, and nails suffer from dryness caused by vitamin A deficiency. A vitamin prevents pigmentation, blemishes, wrinkling, and dry skin.

9. Carrots May Help to Support Immunity:

Carrots are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for helping the immune system to function well. In addition to supporting the immune system, vitamin A improves the development and protection of mucous membranes, which act as barriers for keeping germs out.