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A carrot is a vegetable that grows in the form of a root. It is generally orange in color. Typically a carrot root is hard and crunchy when eaten raw. It is generally safer to wash the carrot and shave off the outer layer of the carrot before eating it, when eating it raw. Carrots are used the world over for their good nutrition and sweet taste.
The leaves of the plant are not consumed by humans as they contain small amounts of poison. Carrots get their distinctive orange color from beta carotene. Beta carotene is also present in some other vegetables such as sweet potatoes.
The beta carotene in carrots turns into vitamin A when passing through the human digestive system.
Carrots are also extremely good as a source of dietary fiber and minerals. It also has anti oxidant properties. Carrots have been regarded as important for eyesight.
The reason for this that when humans have a lack of vitamin a in their bloodstream due to a bad diet, they tend to not be able to see very clearly. This is particularly the case in the dark. Carrots automatically supply vitamin a to the bloodstream and are thus considered to be good for eyesight.
Another major benefit of carrots is their effect on cancer. Beta carotene has shown some positive results when it comes to reducing the risk of contracting cancer in the entire digestive system, right from the mouth to the stomach. It has also shown positive effects on breast cancer and prostate cancer. Anti oxidants are also responsible for reducing your risk of heart disease and cancer. Carrots are a good source of anti oxidants. The positive effects of carrots have been known to increase after cooking. According to studies, the body will absorb more beta carotene from a cooked carrot than from raw carrots. Raw carrots may be used in salads or as a garnish or side dish with some other dishes.
However, carrots do not give humans a magical power to see at night. While they do help in relieving the symptoms of night vision loss, they do not increase night vision beyond the existing human capability.
In some cases, people who eat too many carrots begin to suffer from something known as carotenosis. Carotenosis is a condition where the skin turns orange because of excessive carotene intake. This is not a harmful condition and can be cured by reducing your intake of carrots and carotene.
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