With winters coming in, it's time for this season's favourite fruits and vegetables to take over our platters, and honestly we can't wait for it. One such vegetable we have our hearts set on is the juicy, crunchy, desi carrots! Did someone say Gajar Ka Halwa! Very soon, vegetable stores and supermarkets are going to be filled with carrots, and we are here to give you 7 reasons why you must load your grocery bag with these delicious tubers next time you go veggie-shopping. "Carrots are good source of beta carotene which is a natural pigment that is used by the body to make Vitamin A and it has good amount of fibre", said Bangalore based nutritionist Dr. Sheela Manglani speaking about the high nutritive profile of carrots. "Raw carrots daily address the problem of constipation. Carrots also help maintain healthy cholesterol and prevent heart diseases. Being rich in potassium they help bring down cholesterol and water retention," says, Health Practitioner and Macrobiotic Nutritionist Shilpa Arora. Juice them, boil them or add them to your sabzis and chaats, but don't make the blunder of missing out on this storehouse of nutrients this winter!
Here are 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Carrots
1. Boosts eye health
Are you or your child struggling with poor eyesight? Carrots to the rescue! Carrots have been regarded as the fool-proof traditional remedy to improve eyesight. According to the book Healing foods carrots are rich in lutein and lycopene which help maintain good eyesight and night vision. The high amount of vitamin A also helps boost a healthy eyesight.
(Also Read: 10 Best Carrot Recipes)
(Also Read: 10 Best Carrot Recipes)
2. Aids Weight Loss
If you are on a weight loss diet, your diet must include foods that are high on fibre, and carrots with both soluble and insoluble fibres perfectly fit the bill. Fibre takes the longest to digest and thus promotes a feeling of fullness and prevents you from bingeing on other fattening foods.
3. Ensures bowel regularity and helps in digestion
The significant amount of dietary fiber in carrots plays an important role in maintaining good digestive health. Fiber makes your stool bulky which helps it pass smoothly through the digestive tract and prevents conditions like constipation.
4. Fights cholesterol and boosts heart health
The high fibre quotient of carrots also boosts heart health removing excess LDL cholesterol from the walls of arteries and blood vessels. According to the book 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing carrots "contains a form of calcium easily assimilated by the body that may help lower "unhealthy " (LDL) cholesterol levels."
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
Alongwith lowering the levels of bad cholesterol, carrots are packed with potassium. Potassium helps relax the tension in your blood vessels and arteries, which enhances the blood flow circulation and brings down your elevated BP. High blood pressure is linked to conditions like atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks. So load up on carrots for a step towards a healthier heart.
6. Boosts skin health
The juicy red wonders can help give your skin a radiant glow too. Apart from the beta carotene, lutein and lycopene, the high silicon content of the root can promote healthy skin and nails.
The juicy red wonders can help give your skin a radiant glow too. Apart from the beta carotene, lutein and lycopene, the high silicon content of the root can promote healthy skin and nails.
7. Boosts immunity
Carrots are packed with various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants such as vitamins B6 and K, potassium, phosphorous, etc. which contribute to bone health, stronger nervous system and help improve brain power. The antioxidants, apart from helping the body against free radical damage, guard the body against harmful bacteria, viruses and inflammation.
So what are you waiting for? Load up on carrots and make most of their health benefits this winter!
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