Carrots are one of the most recognized vegetables in the World. There are still a lot of facts and health benefits of carrots you probably don’t know however! Here are a few interesting things to know about this vegetable.
You can usually find carrots year round on the supermarket shelves, but it you want the most delicious version you’ll want to buy them in season.
VARIETIES:
While you are probably used to eating the crunchy orange root of the plant you may be surprised to learn that the leafy green tops are also edible and have a fresh tart taste. You’ve probably seen many a carrot in the shade of orange, you may be surprised to find out that they actually come in shades of white, purple, red and yellow as well. Have a purple carrot for lunch and really throw all your friends for a loop!
BENEFITS:
As far as health benefits go, carrots are a powerhouse! Beta-carotene is what these vegetables are most well-known for, and they do have a lot of it, but they are also full of other healthy nutrients as well.
One of the biggest benefits of adding carrots to your daily diet is that of improved cardiovascular health, also known as having a healthy heart and blood vessels. A recent study has shown carrots to be one of the most risk reducing vegetables known to man today when it comes to heart diseases. A carrot a day really might keep the doctor away!
Carrots are also known to help with keeping your eyesight keen. Eye health can sometimes be overlooked, but try walking around with your eyes closed for just a few minutes and you’ll suddenly be keenly aware of how much you need to take care of your eyes!
Eating carrots can help lower your risks of glaucoma and cataracts. Carrots are also believed to have anti-cancer benefits, especially when it comes to colon cancer and other areas of your lower digestive tract.
The varying shades of carrots all have different levels of vitamins and minerals so it can be helpful to try to eat a variety. You can of course eat carrots plain or dipped in a low fat ranch or hummus, but you might try getting more creative.
Carrots are a versatile vegetable, which makes them easy to add to your diet so that you can easily reap all the health benefits.
