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Carrots: Benefits
There are many reasons why you should root for carrots! Carrots are loaded with nutrients and lend themselves to a wide range of delicious dishes. Although the vegetable is popularly associated with improving eyesight, their benefits go much beyond.
Top benefits of consuming carrots
- Carrots boost the immune system
Our immune system is made up of many organs and specialized cells, such as white blood cells. Many studies show beta-carotene, which comes from carrots, protects phagocytic cells from getting damaged and boosts the response of T and B lymphocytes.
- Carrots promote eye health
Vitamin A, in recommended quantities, is essential for good vision, and carrots offer this nutrient in abundance. When a person is deprived of vitamin A for too long, the outer segment of the eye’s photoreceptors begin to deteriorate, thereby leading to night blindness and other eye-related problems.
- Carrots aid weight loss
Looking to lose weight?! Carrots are a great addition to your diet as they are low in calories and high in fiber content. Carrot sticks will keep you full until lunch and thus will stop you from bingeing. Moreover, carrots help in bile secretion which helps to burn fat and thus aidweight loss.
- Nourishes hair
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is an important nutrient that is linked to the health of many tissues, including hair, skin, and sebaceous glands (oil glands in the skin). An animal model study showed that dietary vitamin A accelerates hair growth by activating the stem cells in hair follicles.
- Healthy skin
Some common skin problems are dullness, dryness, scars, and wrinkles. Beta-carotene present in carrots is converted to vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A and it’s derivative called retinoids are known to play a key role in many cellular processes, including growth and differentiation of cells. Studies show that retinoids stimulate the growth of new cells thereby promoting firmer, healthier, and younger-looking skin
- Protects your teeth
Low levels of vitamin A impacts oral health and is linked to periodontitis (gum infection) and gingivitis (gum inflammation), which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene that provides adequate vitamin A. Chewing carrots can also help fight plaque by generating saliva that exerts an anti-bacterial effect.
- Can help lower blood pressure
Carrots are rich in potassium, which helps in controlling blood pressure. Potassium helps your kidneys work more efficiently and neutralizes the effect of high salt intake that is linked to blood pressure.
