Carrots have made their way into many dishes today. They add taste, colour and a pleasant aroma to our foods but that is not all.

         Carrots are nutritious, they are a natural source of fiber, vitamin K1 and Beta Carotene among others.

         They are weight loss friendly and have been associated with improved eye and bone health.


5 Fun Facts About Carrots


• Baby carrots are not a species of carrots. They are either premature carrots or bigger carrots cut into smaller sizes.

• Carrots are made up of 88% water.
         Surprised? Although carrots are crunchy, water and carbs form a percentage of its composition.

• Carrots are not only orange, they can be red, purple, white and yellow.

• Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A (from Beta Carotene) as a single carrot can provide more than 200% of your daily requirement !

• Carrots have seeds.


Health Benefits of Eating Carrots


1. Eye Health
         Carrots are rich in Beta Carotene which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes good vision and is important for immune functioning of the body.

         Deficiency of vitamin A can result in Xerophthalmia which can cause Night blindness ( make it difficult to see in low light conditions).

 2. Bone Health
         Who doesn't want healthy bones? Our bones are our frame work and are also the site for formation of red and white blood cells.

         Vitamin K1 present in carrots is not only important for blood coagulation it can also promote bone health as well.

         Carrots contain calcium and phosphorus which help in building stronger bones.

3. Reduced Risk of Cancer
        Harmful Free radicals in the body may increase the risk of developing various type of cancer.

         Antioxidants have been proven to fight harmful free radicals in the body making it less likely to develop cancer.

         Carrots contain 2 main types of antioxidants
• Carotenoids
• Anthocyanins
Carotenoids are responsible for the orange colour of carrots while anthocyanins are responsible for red and purple colour in some species of carrots.

4. They can Boost your Immune System
         Carrots contain vitamin C which helps your body build antibodies that defend the immune system.

          Vitamin C also helps to protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals.

5. It Aids Healing of Wounds
         The body makes collagen through the help of vitamin C. Collagen is a protein which is essential for wound healing and keeping the body healthy.
   
Conclusion
        Carrots are a rich source of many important food nutrients, they contain fiber which helps digestion, vitamin A which is good for the eyes and vitamin C which boosts the immune system.

         Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked. They are a great and healthy addition to your dishes.