Well-known for its benefits for the eyes, carrots actually have various other uses. What are the benefits of carrots? Read more here.
Carrots are a vegetable that is popular for its high nutrition. Since childhood, parents have introduced carrots to their children’s MPASI menu because the nutrients can support growth.
Apart from being an MPASI, carrots are often found in cooking menus, such as vegetable soup, and stir-fries, made into juice, smoothies, and even enjoyed straight.
The following are various health benefits of carrots based on their nutritional content:
1. Rich in Nutrients
Carrots contain various types of nutrients. According to Panganku from the Ministry of Health, raw carrot calories are equivalent to 36 calories. Following are the contents and nutrients in 100 grams of raw carrots.
- Water: 89.9 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fat: 0.6 grams
- Kalsium: 45 mg
- Fosfor: 74 mg
- Iron: 1 mg
- Potassium: 245 mg
- Natrium: 70 mg
- Copper: 0.006 mg
- Zink: 0.3 mg
- Beta-Karoten: 3,784 mcg
- Thiamin (Vit. B1): 0.04 mg
- Riboflavin (Vit. B2): 0.04 mg
- Niasin (Vit. B3): 1.0 mg
- Vitamin C: 18 mg
2. Maintains heart health
The efficacy of carrots in maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol levels turns out to have a good impact on heart health.
The benefits of drinking carrot juice or eating raw carrots are even more optimal with the presence of lycopene. This antioxidant compound can help prevent heart disease by fighting oxidative stress in heart cells.
3. Maintain eye health
The benefits of this carrot are truly proven. The reason is, that carrots contain vitamin A which is important for the eyes.
In addition, the beta-carotene content which acts as an antioxidant can fight oxidative stress which may damage eye cells. Regularly consuming carrots can protect the eyes from cataracts, nearsightedness, and other eye problems.
4. Help Manage Weight
If you are losing weight, carrots are the right vegetable for your diet. These vegetables contain fiber which can keep your stomach full for longer. Moreover, per 100 grams of carrots only contain 36 calories.
The benefits of consuming carrots are the key to suppressing the desire to snack which is often the cause of uncontrolled weight gain.
5. Good for Diabetics
People with diabetes need to control their blood sugar at normal levels. The way, by taking care of eating patterns and being careful in choosing food.
Carrots have a low glycemic index (GI). When consuming raw carrots, the GI was found to range between 16-60, the lowest for raw carrots and slightly higher for cooked carrots.
Foods with a low glycemic index are considered beneficial for diabetes sufferers.
6. Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Carrots contain mostly water and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates contained consist of starch and sugar, such as sucrose and glucose.
The sugar content does not cause blood sugar to spike quickly so it is safer to consume than sweet foods.
Unlike cookies, carrots have a low glycemic index. The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food can increase blood sugar levels after eating.
If you want to maintain normal blood sugar levels, consuming carrots could be one step.
7. Prevents Constipation
Apart from soluble fiber, carrots also contain the main insoluble fibers, namely cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
This content makes the benefits of carrots useful for reducing the risk of constipation. This is because fiber keeps the stool texture soft and makes you defecate more regularly every day.
8. Strengthens Bones
Furthermore, the benefit of carrots is that they strengthen bones. The content in carrots which is high in calcium and vitamin K is very good for bone health.
Vitamin K and calcium support bone growth and maintain bone density. The benefits of eating carrots can protect you from bone fractures or bone loss, aka osteoporosis.
9. Reduces the risk of cancer
Regular consumption of foods rich in antioxidants is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. This is because antioxidants can fight free radicals that damage cells and trigger cells to become abnormal.
One of the antioxidants in carrots that is thought to be able to prevent cancer is beta-carotene.
10. Increase Fertility
Consuming foods containing carotenoids can increase sperm count. Meanwhile, foods containing lycopene are good for sperm morphology.
So, it can be concluded that foods rich in carotenoid antioxidants and lycopene can increase fertility by maintaining sperm quality and quantity.
Well, carrots are an example of a food that is rich in these two antioxidants.
11. Healthy brain
As you get older, brain performance can decrease. However, this process of decreasing brain function can be slowed down by consuming foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots.
Carrots are good for brain health because they contain beta-carotene. Beta carotene, which acts as an antioxidant, can prevent damage and inflammation to brain cells.
12. Supports Pregnancy
Pregnant women need lots of nutrition. Not only to maintain her health but also the baby in her womb.
Carrots are one of many healthy vegetable choices for pregnant women. The reason is, that carrots are rich in vitamin C.
Adequate nutrition from consuming carrots can provide benefits in the form of preventing anemia in pregnant women. This is because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.
13. Increases body immunity
One of the functions of carrots is as a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, biotin, vitamin K1, potassium and vitamin B6.
Apart from that, carrots are also rich in beta-carotene. That’s why it’s not surprising that the benefits of carrots can increase the body’s immunity.
Beta-carotene will later be converted by the body into vitamin A. Apart from helping to improve good vision, this nutrient also plays a role in the body’s growth, development and immunity.
14. Optimize Nerve Function
Your nerves need vitamin B complex and various minerals to work well. Carrots provide the nutrients you need.
Healthy nerves can help your body receive signals and respond to things. For example, raise your hand as quickly as possible when touching a hot object.
Without the help of nerves, you cannot feel heat and prevent heat from injuring your skin.
15. Healthy Digestive System
Fiber not only prevents constipation but also provides food for the good bacteria in the intestines. Good bacteria in the gut can regulate immunity and digest food.
If the balance of bacteria in the intestine is maintained, it will certainly keep your digestive system healthy.
16. Reduces the risk of chronic disease
Chronic disease refers to health problems that persist over many years. Examples of chronic diseases that commonly attack are cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Consuming fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, every day can help reduce the risk of this disease. This is because carrots contain fiber, vitamins and minerals that are healthy for the body.
17. Maintains a healthy skin appearance
Maintaining healthy skin is not just about keeping your skin clean and using skin care products. You also need to nourish your skin with healthy foods.
Did you know that there are many properties and benefits of carrots for the face? Carrots are one of the foods that provide benefits for skin health. The presence of carotenoids can make your face look more radiant and youthful.
18. Lowers Cholesterol
Carrots are rich in soluble fiber, especially pectin. The content of carrots is what makes carrots useful in reducing bad cholesterol levels without reducing good cholesterol levels.
You need to know that the body needs cholesterol to build cell membranes in the body. However, the number is not much.
19. Prevents hair loss
Hair loss is a common complaint of men and women. In severe conditions, this condition can cause baldness.
Fortunately, you can prevent more severe hair loss by consuming foods rich in beta-carotene. Yes, this antioxidant can make hair roots stronger and the scalp healthier.
20. Controls Blood Pressure
Apart from cholesterol, consuming carrots also has benefits in controlling blood pressure. The benefits of carrots are obtained from the potassium content in them.
So, potassium balances sodium levels in the body so that it can keep blood pressure normal. For those of you who have high blood pressure, you can eat raw carrots or carrot juice to get the benefits!
The benefits of carrots for body health are abundant, right? You can adjust whether you want to consume carrots by making juice, cooking or even raw. The most important thing is that you can get the benefits of carrot juice or raw carrots if you consume them regularly.