10 Benefits of Carrots That Will Blow Your Mind

There are so many amazing benefits of carrots, that it’s no wonder they are one of the most consumed vegetables in the United States. The health benefits of carrots include eye health, increased immunity, heart health, skin health, anti-inflammatory, memory booster, weight loss and digestive health and more. Learn more about these benefits and how you can incorporate this vitamin rich food into your diet here!

Improves Vision

The antioxidant vitamin A in carrots is essential for good eyesight. It keeps your cornea and retina healthy, increases eye sensitivity to light, and can help you see more clearly in dim light. Vitamin A may also prevent night blindness by preserving cone cells in your eyes. In one study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that low dietary intake of vitamin A increased risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that causes gradual loss of vision. Researchers conclude with a reduced consumption of carotenoids…risk [for AMD] could be decreased by up to12 percent per every ten grams of the orange vegetable consumed (Seddon et al., 1994). You don’t want to miss out on the versatile and delicious vegetable; just give them a try!

Boosts Immunity

One reason carrots are good for you is because they boost your immune system. They contain antioxidants and vitamin A, which helps your body to fight off infections. Research has shown that carrots also help to improve our natural disease-fighting ability, as well as protecting us from bacteria and viruses. Best of all, these amazing little root vegetables can do all that without causing side effects like many medications! It’s no wonder that carrot juice has been used medicinally as an immune booster for thousands of years.

Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Increased intake of carotenoids, especially beta-carotene and lutein, has been shown to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include reductions in cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and blood pressure. The beta-carotene in carrots helps your body produce natural antioxidant enzymes that reduce plaque buildup and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, carrots are a great source of folate which helps prevent oxidative damage to cells that can lead to heart disease. They are also full of antioxidants including vitamin C which helps reduce inflammation throughout your body.

Fights Diabetes

Similar to apples, carrots contain high amounts of pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower blood sugar levels. The journal Diabetic Medicine reported that people who ate three servings a week of pectin-rich fruits and vegetables had lower fasting glucose levels and A1C (an indicator for diabetes) than those who didn’t. If you have Type 2 diabetes, try adding some these pectin-rich foods like carrots to your daily diet.

Controls Body Weights

Most people know that carrots are loaded with vitamin A, and beta-carotene but it turns out they’re also a surprisingly effective weight-loss food. Researchers have discovered that not only can you reduce your body mass index (BMI) by eating carrots, but there’s a possibility they may help you shed some pounds on their own. The carotenoids found in carrots may actually boost fat burning and control appetite.

Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure has many causes, including age, unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and excessive alcohol consumption are just a few. If you’re looking to reduce your blood pressure, a healthy diet that includes carrots is an excellent way to do so. A study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that people who ate two servings of carrots per day had lower blood pressure levels than those who ate no carrots at all. Carrots are also a great source of vitamin A which is known to lower blood pressure naturally. More research is needed to confirm these findings, but for now it’s a good idea to load up on vitamin-rich carrot sticks.

Improves Brain Function

Research has suggested that eating a serving of carrots daily can help improve brain function. In fact, in one study by Dr. Emily Chew, it found that elderly patients who ate a food rich in beta-carotene performed better on tests measuring their brain’s processing speed and visual perception than those who had not. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A inside your body, which acts as an antioxidant for your body’s cells, particularly nerve cells. Antioxidants help slow down damage from free radicals that could potentially lead to degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. While carrots aren’t a magic cure for memory loss, there is evidence that they can improve brain function. To add boost memory formation, eat about six small carrots every day.

Good for Skin

Carrots contain antioxidant flavonoids, including zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. These compounds neutralize free radicals (damaging oxygen molecules), which can cause skin damage. Another one of these amazing antioxidants is vitamin A, which helps promote healthy skin, and since carrots are packed with this amazing vitamin, just a single serving a day can help to reduce wrinkles and keep your skin looking young. Vitamin A can also reduce acne scarring and age related blemishes. Since eating carrots regularly can help to give you that youthful healthy glow, they’re a fantastic food for anyone who wants to look younger and brighter.

Curbs Hunger Cravings

One of carrots most powerful health benefits is its ability to tame your hunger cravings. A study published in a 2011 issue of Planta Medica Journal showed that carotenoids, compounds found in carrots and other plants, may help suppress appetite. Of all carotenoids, lutein/zeaxanthin are considered to be most effective for controlling hunger pangs, but beta-carotene—found in high concentrations in yellow and orange vegetables like carrots—is also very beneficial. Another study published earlier that year in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics reported that carotenoids may stimulate fat-burning and blood sugar control by activating thyroid hormone receptors.

Keeps Gastrointestinal Tract Healthy

Preventing diseases, such as ulcers and Crohn’s disease, are just one of many reasons to eat carrots. The fiber in carrots promotes regular digestion, keeping your gastrointestinal tract clean and healthy. A diet high in fiber can also help improve bowel regularity and contribute to healthy intestinal flora. These amazing vegetables also contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects against free radicals in your gastrointestinal tract. This helps reduce inflammation and support your overall health. Beta-carotene also has been shown to reduce ulcerative colitis in women. To keep your gut healthy, make sure you eat plenty of fiber-rich foods like carrots every day.