What are the vitamins in carrots? Are carrots good for you? As a child, your parents might have told you to eat your carrots because they would help your eyesight. So is there any truth to this? Are carrots really as healthy as we have been lead to believe?
Vitamins in Carrots
Indeed, carrots do contain many nutritious elements and are actually one of the best sources of Vitamin A. Vitamin A contains many purposes when it comes to our overall health. Vitamin A is useful in the health of our eyes, especially our night vision. Vitamin A is also a vital element when it comes to our immune functions, having healthy skin and hair, and our overall reproductive system.
A deficiency in Vitamin A can even lead to night blindness in pregnant women. Some people claim that infections, colds, and the flu can be fought off by regularly drinking carrot juice.
Many acne medications contain Vitamin A, including the popular prescription medication called Accutane. A diet rich in Vitamin A can help keep your skin from developing breakouts as well as heal skin to its healthy level.
Another one of the important vitamins found in carrots is beta carotene. Beta carotene is an antioxidant that helps fight the free radicals which can lead to macular degeneration, some forms of cancer, and heart disease.
In addition to Vitamin A and beta carotene, raw carrots also contain Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential when it comes to blood clotting, which helps the body repair itself after being injured. Vitamin K can also help build strong bones and is often used to both treat and prevent osteoporosis.
Carrots are also a good source of folic acid and magnesium, as well as calcium pectate which can help reduce the “bad” cholesterol in our systems. If pregnant women are unable to take prenatal vitamins due to excessive vomiting and nausea, trying to eats foods that contain folic acid, such as carrots, is often recommended.
So is there a difference between the vitamins found in raw carrots and cooked carrots? Although raw vegetables are generally preferred over cooked vegetables when it comes to preserving the vitamins and minerals, there is no major difference when it comes to carrots.
In fact, cooking might actually increase their value. The cellular walls of carrots are pretty tough, but when they are cooked the cell walls break down and the body is then able to absorb the beta carotene easier.
Many people also drink carrot juice on a daily basis. Washing fresh carrots with a hard bristled brush and then placing the carrots into a juicer or blender will create an instant nutritious juice. Some people boil the carrots first and others add a touch of honey to the carrot juice in order to make it just a little bit sweeter. Honey is one of nature’s best natural sweeteners.
Too much carrot side effects
Despite the fact that carrots can have many benefits, it is possible to consume too many carrots or foods that are rich in carotene. The chance of developing a condition called “carotoderma” is very real. When this happens, the skin takes on an orangish color from having too much carotene in the blood.
It is unknown whether or not there are any adverse side effects to this.
Bottom line
At this point you may have some ideas about the vitamins in carrots and how they are beneficial for your body. As with any food, there can be too much of a good thing and that is true with carrots as well. Still, adding carrots to your overall diet can help assist you in getting the vitamins and minerals that you need in order to stay healthy. Just remember not to overdo it.
