Food · Health · Lifestyle · Uncategorized

Fruit and Veg A-Z: C is for carrots.

Before I get started on all the carrot talk, big news. I smashed it yesterday, 12 portions of fruit and veg!!!

There are loads of choices for the letter C, some that people may not know much about and some that people may not have even heard of. I’m going to keep it simple today with the trusty old carrot.

Probably one of the most known, used and cheapest vegetables out there (at least here in the U.K.) and loved by many!

There are loads of ways to enjoy carrots. Raw with dips or grated in a salad. Stir fried, boiled, roasted, steamed, in a soup, mashed with other veg….. the list goes on!

I’m not going to spend ages telling you all how to cook carrots but I am going to look at the health benefits.

Prevention of heart disease: carrots can help reduce cholesterol.

Blood pressure: of potassium, which is a vasodilator and can relax the tension in your blood vessels and arteries, thereby increasing blood flow and circulation, boosting organ function throughout the body and reducing the stress on the cardiovascular system.

Immune Booster: Carrots contain a number of antiseptic and antibacterial abilities that make it ideal for boosting the immune system.

Digestion: Carrots, like most vegetables, have significant amounts of dietary fiber in those orange roots, and fiber is one of the most important elements in maintaining good digestive health.

Prevents Cancer: Beta-carotene consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of several cancers, notably lung cancer. The average carrot contains about three milligrams of beta-carotene.

Improves Eyesight: Deficiency of vitamin A can cause some difficulty seeing in dim light. Since carrots are rich in vitamin A, it is good for improving eyesight and preventing conditions like night blindness from developing as we age.

Oral Health: The organic compounds in carrots all by themselves are good for mineral antioxidants, but carrots also stimulate the gums and induce excess saliva. Saliva is an alkaline substance and combats the bacteria and foreign bodies that can often result in cavities, halitosis, and other oral health risks.

Stroke: Eating a carrot every day reduces the risk of stroke by 68%.

So no the only are carrots easy and delicious, there is so much goodness in them!

Here is a link to a delicious BBQ pulled carrots recipe, enjoy!

Pulled BBQ Carrots

 

 

 

 

 

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