The carrot is a popular vegetable that is available in several varieties. These include Flyaway, Parmex and Maestro. Although the long, orange varieties are most commonly used, there are other shapes and colours available. You can also find round carrots, red carrots, yellow carrots and purple carrots. Due to the vitamin and mineral content, carrots can offer several health benefits.

Heart health

Consumption of carrots can be good for the heart. Research has shown that regular consumption of raw carrot can reduce cholesterol by as much as eleven percent.

High cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease, so eating carrots regularly can help to reduce the risk.

Carrots also contain potassium, which can help to balance sodium levels and keep the blood pressure under control.

Cancer prevention

Carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene, which can be beneficial for cancer prevention. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, which is an antioxidant vitamin that can help to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals. The cell damage that is caused by free radicals can cause serious illnesses, such as cancer.

A portion of raw carrots can provide more than 200 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. When cooked, the vitamin A provided is in excess of 150 percent of the recommended daily allowance.

Carrots also contain vitamin C, another important antioxidant vitamin.

Vision

Carrots are well known for improving night vision. This is due to the beta-carotene content, as when converted to vitamin A it helps to maintain the cornea.

The beta-carotene in carrots can also reduce the risk of macular degeneration by as much as 40 percent.

Skin health

As carrots contain vitamin C, they can help to maintain healthy skin. Vitamin C provides nourishment for the skin, as well as aiding collagen production. A good consumption of vitamin C can prevent skin dryness and may also reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Digestive health

Carrots can help to keep the digestive system healthy. They are a source of fibre, which helps to regulate bowel movements. Vitamin A is also essential for a healthy digestive system, as it plays an important role in rebuilding the lining of the intestines.

Dental health

Carrots can act as a natural abrasive that helps to keep teeth and gums clean. The nutrients contained in carrots can also help to kill germs and prevent tooth decay.

Anti-ageing

Due to their antioxidant properties, carrots are a good anti-ageing food. The antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause cell damage, therefore slowing down the ageing of the cells.

How to add carrots to your diet

It is easy to add more carrots to your diet. They can be eaten raw as a snack, or shredded and added to salads. When cooked, they make a good accompaniment to a main meal. They can also be used to make soup.

Another good way to get the nutrients from carrots is to drink carrot juice. You can buy this ready-made, or you may prefer to make your own. You can also mix carrots with fruits or other vegetables to make juices and smoothies.