Surprising facts about carrots

By: Sandeep Godiyal

Daucus carota subsp. sativus, commonly known as the  carrot, is a vegetable that is naturally healthy, sweet and delicious. These  taproots are filled with a lot of compounds that are good for the health, such  as antioxidants, vitamin A, minerals and beta-carotenes. These crunchy roots are  a common favorite among a lot of people who love vegetables.
Carrots are  cultivated all over the world for their taproots. The plant is known to be  biennial in nature and starts bearing flowers once it is in its second year.  Generally, however, when the taproot reaches about 1 inch in diameter, it is  harvested. This is the time when the root is juicy and tender. Carrots come in  different shapes and colors, depending on the types of cultivar. Oriental ones  usually have flat upper ends and are long. They also have tail-like lower ends  that taper off. The European counterparts come in cylindrical bodies that have  rounded ends. These also come in a bright orange color compared to the  saffron-colored ones from Asia.
When buying carrots, it is important to  look for young ones that are bright-colored and tender. They should also be  firm. Avoid buying roots that are very large, as this could indicate that they  are already mature, which may make them more difficult to eat.

The Different Health Benefits
It is well-known that carrots are  healthy, but what are the benefits that they give to those who eat them? Here’s  a rundown of the different health benefits one could gain from eating carrots:

Carrots are naturally rich in vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fiber. They  only give 41 calories for every 100 grams, with a negligible fat content and no  cholesterol.
Carrots are also rich in vitamin A and beta-carotenes, which help protect  people from developing mouth and lung cancers. These compounds, along with  flavonoid compounds, help protect the skin too.
Research conducted by the scientists at the University of Newcastle  discovered that falcarinol found in carrots may help prevent cancer, as it  destroys cells that are pre-cancerous. The study was conducted on laboratory  animals.
Fresh carrots are also rich in vitamin C, giving about 9% of the RDA.  Vitamin C helps keep the gums, teeth and connective tissues healthy. Its  antioxidant properties also help the body be protected from various diseases  caused by free radicals.
The root is also rich in B-complex vitamins, such as vitamin B6, folic acid,  thiamine and many more. These are co-factors to certain enzymes that are needed  for…

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