Health Benefits of Carrots
Carrots are the greatest edible source of carotenoids known to us. Being powerful antioxidants, carotenoids protect us from harmful oxygen based molecules called oxidants. Oxidants can speed up aging and contribute to the development of certain health problems such as atherosclerosis and DNA damage.
The most abundant carotenoid in carrots is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is also the first carotenoid to be discovered back in 1831 by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder, one of the most well researched. Some time later researchers found that beta-carotene was transformed into vitamin A by the body, helping to prevent the once common problem of night blindness.
A deficiency in vitamin A is actually the root cause of night blindness. Vitamin A is needed to create another substance in the body called rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a purple colored substance that allows the eye to see at night; without it we become night blind.
As antioxidants, beta-carotene and other carotenoids in carrots help protect the eyes from harmful oxygen molecules in UV light. These harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, attack healthy cells in the eyes. This damage is one major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Carotenoids are also linked to protection from heart disease. Many studies have shown that a daily intake of carrots or other foods high in carotenes can reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack by more than half. Reduction in the development of other heart related problems like high cholesterol, is also associated with carotene intake.
If that's not enough, carotenoids and carrots are also associated with cancer protection. Studies show a high intake of carotenoids can cut the chances of developing some cancers in half. Such cancers include that of the lungs, prostate, colon and esophagus.
Carotenoids also protect us from becoming night blind when they are transformed into vitamin A. Some of this Vitamin A in turn is converted into rhodopsin, a purple plant pigment needed in the eye to see at night. Vitamin A deficiency will inevitably lead to night blindness and eventually complete blindness if not supplied in the diet.
Juicing fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to get a rich intake of carotenoids in your diet. Juicing also makes the carotenoids easily available for digestion, increasing the amount absorbed into the blood stream. A daily carrot juice will go a long way in helping you stay healthy! - 17268
The most abundant carotenoid in carrots is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is also the first carotenoid to be discovered back in 1831 by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder, one of the most well researched. Some time later researchers found that beta-carotene was transformed into vitamin A by the body, helping to prevent the once common problem of night blindness.
A deficiency in vitamin A is actually the root cause of night blindness. Vitamin A is needed to create another substance in the body called rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a purple colored substance that allows the eye to see at night; without it we become night blind.
As antioxidants, beta-carotene and other carotenoids in carrots help protect the eyes from harmful oxygen molecules in UV light. These harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, attack healthy cells in the eyes. This damage is one major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Carotenoids are also linked to protection from heart disease. Many studies have shown that a daily intake of carrots or other foods high in carotenes can reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack by more than half. Reduction in the development of other heart related problems like high cholesterol, is also associated with carotene intake.
If that's not enough, carotenoids and carrots are also associated with cancer protection. Studies show a high intake of carotenoids can cut the chances of developing some cancers in half. Such cancers include that of the lungs, prostate, colon and esophagus.
Carotenoids also protect us from becoming night blind when they are transformed into vitamin A. Some of this Vitamin A in turn is converted into rhodopsin, a purple plant pigment needed in the eye to see at night. Vitamin A deficiency will inevitably lead to night blindness and eventually complete blindness if not supplied in the diet.
Juicing fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to get a rich intake of carotenoids in your diet. Juicing also makes the carotenoids easily available for digestion, increasing the amount absorbed into the blood stream. A daily carrot juice will go a long way in helping you stay healthy! - 17268
About the Author:
Hi my name is Jason Jones. I have a passion for healthy eating and green living. I advocate healthy eating as an essential part of our well being spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Visit my extensive juicing blog - benefits of juicing
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