When we were kids, our parents would encourage us to eat more carrots by telling us they help us to see in the dark. It was a tiny white lie but it worked because all kids want to see in the dark. (We also ate carrots because Bugs Bunny ate them and Bugs Bunny was cool).Sadly, it isn’t strictly true that carrots help us see in the dark (although it actually rather is).
However, as we get older, we begin to eat vegetables such as carrots, not because they’ll give us amazing super powers, but because they’ll actually make us healthier. Which, although not something kids tend to worry about, is definitely we as super-mature adults think a lot about.The truth is that the humble carrot has many health benefits to offer you. Let’s go explore it.
Nutritional Value Of Carrots
There is no better time than now to celebrate carrots because they’re in season, which means they’re fresh and packed with flavor. According to data from NutritionData, a cup of raw carrots contains the following nutrients:
- Vitamin A – 113%
- Biotin – 20%
- Vitamin K – 18%
- Fiber – 14%
- Molybdenum – 14%
- Potassium – 11%
- Vitamin C – 10%
- Vitamin B6 – 10%
- Manganese – 9%
- Vitamin B3 – 8%
- Vitamin B1 – 7%
- Panthothenic acid – 7%
- Copper – 6%
- Phosphorus – 6%
- Folate – 6%
- Vitamin B2 – 5%
- Vitamin E – 5%
Carrots are also rich in essential antioxidants, and are in fact one of the most popular antioxidant vegetables consumed in U.S. alongside spinach and pumpkin.
Carrots Can Prevent Heart Disease
Carrots are one of the most widely eaten vegetables in the whole world. One of the reasons for this is because they’re easy to grow, while another reason is their culinary versatility. However, you also have to consider their fantastic health benefits, such as the value, they give your heart. High cholesterol is a major risk factor when it comes to heart disease. Fortunately, eating more carrots can reduce your bad cholesterol levels, therefore putting you in sounder cardiovascular health.
Carrots Can Reduce Your Blood Pressure
We all get angry now and then, but what you might not realize is that when you get angry, your blood doesn’t actually boil; instead, your blood pressure rises, which can be really dangerous.Potassium is a vital mineral that helps to relax your arteries and blood vessels so that blood can flow naturally without any problems. Carrots are rich in potassium, which means that the next time you feel yourself about to explode, eat a carrot.
Carrots Promote Better Digestion
At some point or another, we have all suffered from digestive issues. Some GI disorders are more serious than others are, but they can all be eased with more dietary fiber.Carrots are high in fiber, which means they promote better digestive health. Among other things, fiber can make your soft stool bulkier, which means that it more easily slides through your digestive tract. Fiber can also protect your colon from cancer, as well as eliminate symptoms of constipation.
Carrots Can Actually Improve Your Eyesight
It might have been an old wives tale that carrots can help you see in the dark, and your parents probably didn’t even believe it when they told you. They just wanted you to eat more vegetables! However, the truth is that carrots can actually improve eyesight, as well as protect you from debilitating conditions such as night blindness. According to research carried out by LifeScience, this is because of the carrots high vitamin A content. When we are low in vitamin A, our eyes find it hard to see in dim lighting. Who knew?