Today's food in the 'Winter Superfood' series is – Carrots.
The easiest way to stay healthy in any season is to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you eat the superfoods of that season, you will not spread diseases in your surroundings. Carrot is one such winter superfood.
It is a root vegetable, first cultivated in Afghanistan around 900 AD. Orange-colored carrots are commonly found in homes, markets, and books. However it comes in many colors like purple, yellow, red and white. In the early days, carrots were purple or yellow in color. Orange carrots were developed in the Middle East around the 15th or 16th century.
Carrots are rich in vitamins A, C and K. It contains essential minerals like iron, calcium, zinc, potassium and copper. Apart from this, it is also a good source of fiber and carbohydrates. Consuming it daily improves eyesight, reduces the risk of cancer and also helps in weight control.
So, today'Winter superfoods' In the series we will talk about carrots. You will also learn that-
- What is its nutritional value?
- What are the benefits of eating a carrot a day?
- Which people should not eat carrots?
What is the nutritional value of carrots? Carrots contain 86% to 95% water. The remaining 10% consists of carbohydrates. Carrots also contain protein and fat, but in very small amounts.
Carrots are rich in vitamins and minerals Carrots contain many vitamins and minerals. Hence it is very beneficial for health. Generally people believe that carrots are rich in vitamin A. Apart from vitamin A, carrots are also rich in vitamin C and B6.
Carrots also contain many minerals needed by the body, see graphic:
Carrots are very beneficial Carrot is a vegetable that is very low in calories and very high in nutritional value. Due to the presence of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it strengthens the immune system. Due to its special nutritional value, its consumption improves heart, kidney and liver health. What other advantages this has, see in the graphic:
Some common questions related to carrots and their answers
Question: Can we eat carrots every day? Answer: Yes, you can definitely eat it. Eating one carrot every day provides many vitamins and minerals needed by the body. However, carrots contain an antioxidant called beta-carotene. If a person continues to eat too many carrots for a long time, he may develop carotenemia. In this the color of the skin becomes saffron or yellow. So, don't eat too many carrots at once.
Question: How many carrots should be eaten daily? Answer: A healthy adult should eat 1-2 carrots a day. Children can eat one carrot a day. This is because one carrot weighs around 125 grams to 200 grams. If one 125 gram carrot is eaten daily, it provides more than 100% of our daily requirement of vitamin A.
Eating too many carrots daily can cause some problems like hair fall, chapped lips, dry skin and weak bones. This can also increase blood calcium levels, which can lead to conditions such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. This condition occurs when too much pressure builds up around the brain.
Question: Are carrots good for eating raw or cooked? Answer: Some vegetables can be eaten both raw and cooked. Carrot is one of these vegetables. Even if eaten raw, the stomach can easily digest it. It can be eaten as a healthy breakfast or snack. It is also rich in fiber, which does not cause constipation.
If carrots are eaten cooked, beta-carotene is easier to absorb and may also reduce the risk of infection.
Question: Does cooking carrots destroy their nutrients? Answer: No, cooking carrots does not significantly change their nutritional value. If carrots are cooked too long, their antioxidant activity and vitamin C may decrease.
Just boiling carrots or cooking them on slow flame does not make much difference in its nutrition, on the contrary, it makes it easier for our body to absorb the nutrients in it.
Question: Can eating carrots cause any allergy? Answer: Yes, people with polony-food allergy syndrome can develop an allergy after eating carrots. In this syndrome, a person has a reaction to certain raw fruits, nuts and vegetables. Due to which the throat, mouth and ears also become swollen along with itching. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating carrots, consult a doctor immediately.
Question: Are carrots harmful? Answer: Eating carrots generally does not cause any side effects. However, eating too many carrots for several days in a row can cause the skin to turn yellow or orange. Eating too many carrots can also cause digestive problems. In some cases, allergic reactions are observed. If any side effects occur, stop eating carrots and consult a doctor.
Question: Who should not eat carrots? Answer: These people should not eat carrots:
- Those who have diarrhea.
- People who are taking any hormonal therapy.
- People who have polony-food allergy syndrome.
Question: Are carrots easy to digest? Answer: Yes, carrots are easy to digest for most people. The fiber present in carrot makes its digestion easier. Young children and people with intestinal problems may find it difficult to digest raw carrots. If it is cooked, its digestion becomes very easy for everyone.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
