Health Benefits of Carrots
There are more than 600 known carotenoids. Carotenoids are naturally occurring plant pigments that provide the orange and yellow colors we see in plants and their produce. The vibrant orange color of carrot is provided by its high carotenoid content, in fact carrots are the biggest known source of carotenoids. Of the 600 known carotenoids, about 50 of them can also be converted to vitamin A by the liver.
The most famous of these carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is also the most abundant carotenoid found in carrots. Beta-carotene is also the most common carotenoid that is turned into vitamin A. As vitamin A is only found in animal products, particularly dairy, carotenoids can be an essential source of vitamin A for vegans.
More than just a plant coloring pigment or chemical that can become vitamin A, carotenoids are also potent antioxidants. They help protect us from the damaging effects of oxidative stress, a condition in which rogue oxygen molecules get the better of us and damage healthy cells. Such damage can lead to cancers, premature aging and cardiovascular diseases.
As antioxidants, beta-carotene and other carotenoids in carrots help protect the eyes from harmful oxygen molecules in UV light. These harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, attack healthy cells in the eyes. This damage is one major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Carotenoids are also strongly associated with cancer prevention. As antioxidants, they can protect DNA cells from oxidation damage, which is one cause of cancer. Many studies show that a high carotenoid diet can reduce the risk of getting cancer of the lungs, colon, esophagus and the prostate by up to 50%.
If that's not enough, carotenoids and carrots are also associated with cancer protection. Studies show a high intake of carotenoids can cut the chances of developing some cancers in half. Such cancers include that of the lungs, prostate, colon and esophagus.
And if that's still not enough, carotenoids also aid diabetes. Researchers studied the effects of carotenoid consumption upon blood sugar levels in diabetics. Amazingly, carotenoids actually helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels!
To increase your daily intake of carotenoids, I recommend making your own homemade carrot juice. Carotenoids, like other nutrients, always work best when taken naturally in a food source. Juicing also makes carotenoids more easily available for digestion. - 17273
The most famous of these carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is also the most abundant carotenoid found in carrots. Beta-carotene is also the most common carotenoid that is turned into vitamin A. As vitamin A is only found in animal products, particularly dairy, carotenoids can be an essential source of vitamin A for vegans.
More than just a plant coloring pigment or chemical that can become vitamin A, carotenoids are also potent antioxidants. They help protect us from the damaging effects of oxidative stress, a condition in which rogue oxygen molecules get the better of us and damage healthy cells. Such damage can lead to cancers, premature aging and cardiovascular diseases.
As antioxidants, beta-carotene and other carotenoids in carrots help protect the eyes from harmful oxygen molecules in UV light. These harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, attack healthy cells in the eyes. This damage is one major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Carotenoids are also strongly associated with cancer prevention. As antioxidants, they can protect DNA cells from oxidation damage, which is one cause of cancer. Many studies show that a high carotenoid diet can reduce the risk of getting cancer of the lungs, colon, esophagus and the prostate by up to 50%.
If that's not enough, carotenoids and carrots are also associated with cancer protection. Studies show a high intake of carotenoids can cut the chances of developing some cancers in half. Such cancers include that of the lungs, prostate, colon and esophagus.
And if that's still not enough, carotenoids also aid diabetes. Researchers studied the effects of carotenoid consumption upon blood sugar levels in diabetics. Amazingly, carotenoids actually helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels!
To increase your daily intake of carotenoids, I recommend making your own homemade carrot juice. Carotenoids, like other nutrients, always work best when taken naturally in a food source. Juicing also makes carotenoids more easily available for digestion. - 17273
About the Author:
Jason Jones enjoys writing about health and well being, particlarly about food, nutrition and natural healing. He is also an advocate of 'going green' to ensure the well being of this planet. You can visit his health website juicer recipe
posted by X - Men at
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