Carrots are a good source of nutrients, especially Vitamin A. They contain a variety of phytochemicals that have various beneficial effects, such as regulating blood sugar, reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering cholesterol levels. They also provide antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation and fight off free radical damage. They also contain potassium and fiber, which can help to maintain healthy blood pressure and bowel movement. Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked and have several health benefits.
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, carrot is LIKELY EFFECTIVE when used as a food or juice for the following conditions:
Fibromyalgia
Carrot juice can be a great addition to a healthy diet and may help to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Early research suggests that drinking 2-4 servings of carrot juice per week can reduce pain and other symptoms. However, more research is needed to confirm this claim.
Asthma
Carotenoids are a group of compounds that act as antioxidants in the body, and they can help to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. They can also increase energy and boost the immune system. One of the most important carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is found in carrots and other orange vegetables. In addition to its antioxidant properties, it has been shown to help prevent cancer and regulate blood pressure.
Phytohormones are plant hormones that are involved in almost all physiological processes in plants, including cell division, growth and differentiation, flowering, seed development and senescence. Some of the most well-known phytohormones include cytokinins (CK), abscisic acid (ABA), auxins (Aux), gibberellins (GA) and brassinosteroids (BR). Phytohormones play an important role in plant responses to environmental stressors, such as biotic and abiotic stress.
Aster yellows is a disease that causes stunting, leaf bronzing and sterility in carrots. It is caused by a pathogenic bacteria and can be controlled through selective breeding. Several cultivars are resistant to aster yellows, including Scarlet Nantes and Royal Chantenay.
In order to get the most out of your carrots, be sure to store them properly. This means storing them in an airtight container and putting them in the refrigerator, where they should last for up to a month. You should also cut off the green tops and store them separately.
Several studies have shown that thermal processing increases the availability and stability of carotenoids, such as b-carotene, in carrots. This is due to the fact that cooking, such as steam blanching, partially dissolves the cellulose-thickened cell walls. This allows more of the b-carotene to be released into the dietary water, which in turn is more easily absorbed by the body. Blanching is also thought to be able to reduce the oxidative degradation of these compounds and protect them from rancidification by oxygen. In addition, a process called isomerization occurs during blanching, which changes the molecular structure of the b-carotene, allowing more to be converted into Vitamin A. Compared to unblanched carrots, the b-carotene content in the resulting product is higher (Howard et al., 1999; Sulaeman et al., 2001; Puuponen-Pimia et al., 2003).