The most thrilling discoveries about carrot goes beyond dessert tables. They are rather interlaced with the dietary constituents present in the vegetable.
Exciting studies show that carrot promises an enormous feat in tackling virulent and allegedly incurable human diseases.
What are some dietary compounds in carrots?
Carrot possesses a modest amount of beta-carotene and this compound has shown to be a potent remedy against certain cell irregularities.
They also contain dietary fibres which provide crucial colonic benefits to the humans
What are the possible health benefits of carrots?
Beta carotene, a major component of carrot is a prime bet for tackling cancer especially smoking-related cancers. Thus, this dietary constituent retards cancer progression and in some instances also disrupt the mechanism that first turn cells into cancers.
Some cancer researchers have ascertained that beta carotene can interfere with cancer development at late stages and provide formidable barriers to cancers like lung cancer and cancer of the pancreas.
One scientist, Dr.Menkes of the State University of New York suggests that eating a carrot each day might prevent the risk of lung cancer in already predisposed persons(smokers).
Carrot contains vitamin A, and a vitamin A deficiency may result in xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease. Xerophthalmia can cause night blindness or difficulty seeing when levels of light are low.
It also contributes to a range of colonic benefits including constipation relief and increase in fecal bulk. This is so because carrot is a high fiber food.
What are other benefits of carrot?
- It depresses blood cholesterol levels as a result of containing potassium which helps relax blood vessels.
- Lowers risks of larynx, esophagus, prostate, bladder and cervix cancers.
- Eating carrot provides you with adequate vitamin C that can help support the body’s ability to fight diseases and infections and subsequently maintain overall good health.
- Carrot contains vitamin K and small amounts of calcium and phosphorus and they all contribute to bone health and may help prevent osteoporosis.
How can you consume carrot?
Carrot can be eaten cooked or uncooked. However, know that boiling vegetables can reduce or eliminate some of the vital vitamin content. Raw or steamed carrot provides the most nutritional value.You can therefore consume it as
- Juice
- Shredded salad
- Stew