The Surprising Health Benefits of Carrots

Carrots are an effortless way to incorporate healthy phytonutrients. These are naturally occurring plant chemicals. They also provide antioxidants, which are substances that protect cells from free radical DNA damage, into your daily diet. Everyone knows how great they are for eye & digestive health. But did you know they offer even more benefits than that?

Besides eye and digestive health, carrots also help with cardiovascular health. They promote immune system health, bone health, and skin health. Carrots support weight management as well. Women in particular may find that they benefit from including carrots in their diet. The fiber in carrots can help to balance hormones, especially if the person has high estrogen. This is because carrots are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Pectin is the main soluble fiber. It slows down the digestion of sugar and starch. It also helps to lower blood sugar levels. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin are the insoluble fibers in carrots. They feed beneficial bacteria in your gut and help support digestive health.

Carrots also offer carotenoids & lutein. These specific nutrients can support immune function and may reduce your risk of heart disease. The lutein specifically can support eye health by protecting against degenerative diseases of the eyes.

There are a few studies that show that carrots can offer cancer-fighting potential. Cancer is on the rise and it’s important to eat beneficial food to help fight this disease.

I was interested in adding carrots to my diet because of their digestive benefits. I was also interested in the boost to eye health. While I still wear glasses, I know eating carrots daily is protecting my eyes at a cellular level.

There are many ways to get you daily dose of carrots. You can juice them, eat them raw, roast them, or grill them. I actually love carrots so I personally eat them several ways. I put carrot juice powder in my morning Power Smoothie. I eat them raw as a snack and they actually fill me up! I roast then, pressure cook them and add them to soups or stews. If you like juicing them, be aware that the juice does not contain as much fiber. The same applies if you use a powder. Diabetics may rather choose eat them as the whole carrot so their blood sugar does not spike.

Cooked carrots are considered slightly healthier than raw carrots. Cooking them helps your body digest them better. It also aids in absorbing the nutrients more effectively. The beta-carotene converts to vitamin A.

Raw carrots have plenty of valuable nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. However, sometimes you want the nutrients to get into your cells quickly. Juicing the carrots is a great way to do that and still get the nutrients you need. It’s a tasty way to get valuable nutrition.

NUTRIENTS

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin B6

Vitamin K

Potassium

Biotin

Lutein

I wanted to share a secret. It’s one of my tactics for getting in extra nutrients that I feel I could be missing from my diet. It’s called “Just Carrots”. I know that we all have different diets and eating habits. My diet includes a daily smoothie. This smoothie provides many great nutrients to my body. However, I wanted to be sure I’m getting all the benefits of carrots. For that reason, I chose to add the “Just Carrots” juice powder. I know it’s important for me to get in enough lutein and antioxidants. “Just Carrots” is simply fresh, pesticide-free carrots squeezed for the juice. Then the juice is freeze-dried into a powder. I can easily add it to my drink of choice. It’s a super easy way to make sure I am getting my daily dose of these vitamins.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JUST CARROTS!

I eat a serving or two every day, and I haven’t turned orange yet! The important thing is to incorporate carrots into your daily diet. The benefits are amazing, and your body will love you for it. If you eat too many, you could turn orange or look a little tan, depending on your skin tone. But that won’t hurt you at all, so feel free to cut back if it happens!

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