Must read: Health Benefits of Carrots.

1. Eye Care: Carrots are excellent for the
eyes, thanks to the presence of abundant
amounts of beta carotene which is converted
into Vitamin A in the liver. This vitamin is
converted in the retina to rhodopsin, a
purple pigment necessary for night vision.
Beta carotene improves night vision and
protects against eye problems like glaucoma,
macular degeneration and senile cataracts. It
is also helpful in night blindness. A study has
proved that consumption of beta carotene
reduces the risk of macular degeneration by
40%.

2. Cardiovascular Benefits: Carrots contain a
variety of antioxidants and polyacetylenes
which together provide a protective shield to
the heart. Studies have shown that
consumption of foods high in carotenoids
lower the risk of heart disease. Besides being
extremely rich in beta carotene, carrots also
contain alpha-carotene and lutein. Regular
consumption of carrots protects your heart
from oxidative damage, plaque formation
and bad cholesterol elevation. This is because
they contain soluble fibers which bind with
bile acids.

3. Prevents Cancer: Studies have shown that
the consumption of carrots can reduce the
risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon
cancer. This is because carrots are rich in the
poly-acetylene antioxidant, falcarinol which
fights against cancers by destroying pre-
cancerous cells in the tumors. In this way,
carrots possess anti-carcinogenic properties
that inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the
colon and support the health of the lower
digestive tract.

5. Dental Health: Carrots are beneficial for
your teeth and mouth as they scrape off
plaque and food particles like a toothbrush or
toothpaste. Carrots stimulate the gums and
facilitate the formation of a lot of saliva,
which being alkaline in nature, balances the
acid-forming and cavity-forming bacteria. The
minerals present in carrots kill harmful germs
in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

6. Cleanses the Body: As stated earlier,
carrots contain abundant amounts of Vitamin
A which assist the liver in flushing out toxins
from the body. It reduces the accumulation
of bile and fat in the liver. The soluble fiber,
on the other hand, cleanses the colon by
facilitating waste elimination.

7. Prevents Ageing: The high level of beta
carotene in carrots acts as an antioxidant to
prevent and reverse cell damage done to the
body through regular metabolism. Thus, it
helps in slowing down the ageing of cells.

8. Beneficial during Menstruation and the
Post-Menopausal Phase: Carrot juice is
extremely beneficial for women. This is
because the phytoestrogen in carrots helps
relieve menstrual pain and regularizes
bleeding in those having heavy menstrual
flow. It is also beneficial for post-menopausal
women as it helps to get rid of hot flushes
and stabilizes other menopausal symptoms.

9. Helpful During Pregnancy: Carrots are
particularly helpful during pregnancy as they
aid in the proper development of the fetus
and reduce the risk of fetal infections and
miscarriage. Regular consumption of carrots
is known to help in the production of breast
milk and improve its quality.

10. Prevents Stroke: According to a research
conducted at Harvard University, people who
consumed more than six carrots a week are
less likely to suffer from
strokes in comparison to those who ate only
one carrot a month or less.

11. Source of Calcium: Few of us are aware of
the fact that carrots contain calcium which is
vital for the growth and development of
bones in children and women.

12. Digestive Health: Carrots are a good
source of fiber which helps in regularizing
bowel movements and aids digestion. It is
also beneficial in conditions like constipation
and acid re-flux. Besides, this fiber aids in
weight loss and in avoiding sugar hikes in the
blood.

13. Other Benefits: Carrots are high in
carotenoids which regulate blood sugar. They
also contain alkaline elements which purify
and revitalize the blood as well as balance the
acid alkaline ratio in the body.
The high
potassium content in carrots helps in
balancing the high levels of sodium associated
with hypertension and controls blood
pressure.