How Carrots Can Help You Live Healthier

Aside from being the favorite food of Bugs Bunny and having orange color, you probably do not know a lot about carrots.  Did you know that the carrots used to be red, white, green, purple and even yellow during the ancient times? How it turned to orange is something that is not known by a lot of people.

Do not belittle the lowly carrot. This crunchy vegetable is actually packed with vitamins and nutrients that protect your eyesight and minimize your risk from developing heart problems and some types of cancer. In fact, if you nibble on a whole carrot everyday, you won't need Vitamin A supplements anymore. To know more about the benefits of carrots and to learn how to get most out of this vegetable, continue reading.

It's In The Color

Be thankful that present carrots are orange. Beta-carotene, which is the substance that makes this vegetable orange, is actually the one responsible for the health and nutritional benefits of carrots.  Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant that is known to help reduce the damages caused by free radicals, which are compounds that are linked to increased risk of macular degeneration, premature aging and development of certain diseases, such as heart diseases and cancer.

According to clinical studies, the more one consumes antioxidants, the less likely it is for him or her to die from certain types of cancer.  The combination of Beta-carotene and Vitamin C is very potent in reducing incidence of cancer by 37%, this is based on a study conducted by researchers from the School of Public Health from the University of Texas. On the other hand, some studies also show that people who have low levels of Beta-carotene are more prone to cancer, particularly in the lungs and stomach.

Aside from Beta-carotene, carrots also contain Alpha-carotene, another antioxidant that is also believed to protect the cells from damages caused by free radicals. A study made by the National Cancer Institute has found that lung cancer is more prevalent in men who do not have appropriate levels of Alpha-carotene in their bodies.

Vision Mission

Besides neutralizing the effects of free radicals, Beta-carotene is also responsible for improving your vision by converting itself into Vitamin A. This vitamin strengthens eye health by creating rhodopsin, a purplish pigment that your eyes need for sharpening your night vision. Individuals who do not have enough rhodopsin in the body are more prone to suffering from night blindness. Thus, you need to eat a lot of carrots to make sure that you can drive properly at night and can see well even when it is dark.

How To Get The Most From Carrots

First, you need to eat carrots with a little bit of fat. According to Dr. John Edman, a PhD holder in nutritional sciences, Beta-carotene needs some fat in order to reach your intestines. Thus, it may be a wise idea to eat your carrot sticks with some dressing.

In most cases, it would be better to eat vegetables raw instead of cooking them. As for carrots, however, it may be a good idea to cook them to make it easier for the body to absorb Beta-carotene. However, do not overcook your carrots because the nutrients will uselessly evaporate. But in case you did cook your carrots for too long, do not feel bad. You can still get the benefits from the vegetable by using the cooking water in making dips, sauces, and soup base.

Since the benefits of carrots are chiefly geared towards the protection of your eyes from the inside, you may still want to do something with your eyes on the outside. To help minimize dark circles, wrinkles and puffy eyes, you may use natural-based eye creams, such as Eyevive. If you are interested in knowing more about this product, go to http://www.eyevive.com/.