Be Healthy with Carrots

     Carrot roots should be firm, smooth, relatively straight and bright in color. The deeper the orange-color, the more beta-carotene is present in the carrot. Avoid carrots that are excessively cracked or forked as well as those that are limp or rubbery.

• The richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes, carrots are also an excellent source of antioxidant compounds.
• Review of six epidemiological studies demonstrated that high-carotenoid diets are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
• Vision, especially night vision is protected by beta-carotene.
• By far one of the richest sources of carotenoids; just one cup of carrots provides 16,679 IUs of beta-carotene and 3,432 REs (retinol equivalents), or roughly 686.3% the RDA for vitamin A. A 20% decrease in postmenopausal breast cancer and an up to 50% decrease in the incidence of cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus have been linked with high carotenoid intake.
• Blood sugar regulation benefits may result from intake of foods such as carrots that are rich in carotenoids.
• Carrots contain a phytonutrient called falcarinol that may provide protection against colon cancer.
• Eating vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots may protect smokers and persons exposed to second-hand smoke.
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  Source: World’s Healthiest Food