~ Benefits Of Carrots And How To Eat More Of Them ~

[MysteRy]

Carrots are a delicious snack on their own, but also make a great addition to most recipes. They’re one of the most popular vegetables too because they’re so cheap and are available year-round. But carrots aren’t just convenient, they’re also extremely healthy. Here are five ways eating carrots every day could benefit your health.

[MysteRy]

One of the most obvious ways a meat-heavy diet rich in processed foods affects us, is by slowing our digestion. These foods are very low in fiber, a component your digestive system desperately needs. Carrots are very high in fiber, so eating more of them will improve your digestion. If you suffer from constipation or irregular bathroom visits, it’s your body telling you that you need more fiber. Poor digestion also results in irritable bowel syndrome and puts you at a higher risk for colon cancer. So eat plenty of carrots regularly to give your body the fiber it needs.

[MysteRy]

When your blood vessels become constricted, blood can’t flow through them easily. This raises your blood pressure, which puts significant stress on your artery walls. Carrots are high in potassium, which can potentially reverse this. Potassium is a very effective vasodilator, which means it can expand your blood vessels. This helps blood to move more freely throughout your body.

[MysteRy]

This is the property that carrots are most widely associated with. If you were told to eat more carrots for your eyesight when you were younger, this is the reason why. Carrots get their vibrant green colour from beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Once your body digests beta-carotenes in carrots, it converts it to vitamin A. Vitamin A protects our eyes by preventing macular degeneration, but it also gives you healthier skin, bones and hair. Research is beginning to show that eating plenty of vitamin A could protect you from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.

[MysteRy]

While consumption of more calcium has been most commonly linked with preventing osteoporosis, vitamin K isn’t given as much attention. However, vitamin K is extremely important to preserve your body’s bone density. One cup of carrots provides around 20% of your daily vitamin K requirement. Eating plenty of carrots will help your bones become stronger, prevent fractures and reduce your risk for osteoporosis.

[MysteRy]

Studies have shown that people who eat carrots everyday are at a 68% lower risk of developing a stroke in their lifetime. This could be because of the presence of fiber and beta-carotene in carrots. Fiber lowers your cholesterol levels and keeps your heart healthy. Beta-carotene has been proven to be very effective against strokes. It also helps patients who have already suffered from a stroke to make a full recovery faster.

[MysteRy]

While carrots are delicious, let’s face it, eating plain old carrot sticks everyday is no fun. There are so many more delicious ways to use carrots and benefit from their nutrients. You can shred it or finely slice it and add it to salads or dip it in hummus for a healthy snack. Carrots also lend themselves perfectly to most stews and soups. If you’re making a roast, be sure to add carrots in it for more flavor, color and nutrition. No matter what you’re eating throughout the day, there’s always a way to make it better with carrots.