Carrots or gajar as it is called in India is well known to be a vegetable with umpteen health benefits and you might have heard the elders in your family recommending it to you. Extensively used in salads and sandwiches, and sometimes used to make the mouth-watering gajar ka halwa this orange coloured vegetable offers a range of health benefits. Here are some of them:
Improves your vision
If you want healthy eyes and would never want your vision to go away eat carrots. A single carrot contains 200% of your daily requirement of Vitamin A, and is one of the best foods you can have for good vision.
Can be used as an antiseptic
You've suffered from a cut and can't find an antiseptic cream? Fret not. Carrots have properties which can keep infections at bay. You can apply them on the cut in shredded or boiled form.
Prevents cancer
Falcarinol, a compound present in carrots has anti-cancer properties. Research has shown that carrots can reduce the risk of lung cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. It also has beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin which is an antioxidant that helps in reducing the risk of cancer by preventing damage to healthy cells.
Keeps your skin glowing
Carrots are also rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants which prevent your skin from damage. As we grow older, our skin suffers from free radical damage. This process is similar to how metals rust after exposure to air.
Good for your heart
It is estimated that around 70% of the urban Indian population is at risk of having heart disease. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and lutein which are good for your heart, and can help in preventing heart diseases like heart attack and hypertension. (Read: 8 natural cholesterol busters)
Helps keep your teeth clean
The crunchy carrots are good for your teeth too! Eating a carrot produces a lot of saliva in your mouth, which clears out cavity forming bacteria as your saliva is alkaline in nature.
Good for your reproductive health
Want your sperm to be a champion swimmer? Eat carrots. Researchers have found that beta-carotene present in carrots help increase your sperm's motility by 6.5 to 8 percent. (Read: Carrots, oranges and other veggies can make your sperm a champion swimmer!)
Helps in blood clotting
You might have noticed that every time you suffer from a small cut, the bleeding automatically stops after a while. The reason behind this is that your body forms a blood clot to prevent excess bleeding. Vitamin K, a nutrient present in carrots helps speed up the process.
Builds your immunity
Not only is carrot good for your eyes, skin and heart; it is also good for your immunity system. It is your immunity system which is responsible for healing your body from many ailments, and protecting it from infections.
Cures constipation
Whenever you have constipation, it is caused due to food being packed in your colon. Carrots, along with most fruits and veggies are rich in fibre which helps in clearing the pathway, thus curing constipation. (Read: Top 10 home remedies for constipation)
All these health benefits make carrots a must have in your grocery shopping list.
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