Carrots: benefits and harms for the body, how much you need to eat

Carrots are a root vegetable that is grown for food purposes. Carrot root vegetable, the benefits and harms of which are described in many popular science publications, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is among the ten most economically significant vegetable crops.

Carrots are highly productive and resistant to climatic conditions. The crop is grown in most climatic zones, excluding the Arctic zone.

The composition of the root vegetable and its beneficial properties for men and women

Carrots are of great nutritional value. The vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals. The benefits of carrots for the human body are very high and it is difficult to overestimate it. That is why the root crop takes its rightful place in the human diet. So what vitamins are found in carrots? First of all, these are:

• beta carotene;
• thiamine;
• pantothenic acid;
• a nicotinic acid;
• riboflavin;
• folic acid;
• pyridoxine.

in smaller quantities:

• biotin;
• tocopherol;
• vitamin C.

Since the vegetable contains folic acid, which is necessary for the development of the fetal nervous system, doctors recommend eating carrots during pregnancy. In addition, the content of beta-carotene and tocopherol in carrots is important. These vitamins are considered to be “beauty vitamins”.

The benefits of carrots for women are also explained by the presence of biotin in the composition of the substance, which promotes hair growth and improves skin condition. The vitamins in carrots are preserved with proper storage of the root crop throughout the winter.

In addition to vitamins, the healing properties of carrots are provided by the content of a number of macro- and microelements in the root crop. Most of the macronutrients are carrots contains potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. Sodium, calcium, sulfur are contained in smaller amounts.

The trace elements that make up the root crop are more numerous:

• iron;
• iodine;
• manganese;
• zinc;
• copper;
• selenium;
• molybdenum and others.

No less significant than the beneficial effect on the female body is the benefits of carrots for men, which are provided by the content of tocopherol, ascorbic acid in its root crop, B vitamins, zinc and selenium. These vitamins and trace elements affect the production of male sex hormones.

Carrots in the treatment of diseases

Traditional medicine uses the healing properties of carrots to treat diseases of the digestive system and metabolism. For example, with the help of carrots, you can treat diseases such as diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, gastritis.

A root vegetable for the treatment of diseases of internal organs can only be used as an adjuvant in combination with drug therapy.

What are the benefits of carrots for the body during the period of illness? Consider several diseases in which a vegetable crop will be useful for a patient:

• Diabetes. Disease of endocrine origin, characterized by impaired carbohydrate metabolism. In addition to drug therapy diabetes requires adherence to a strict diet and counting bread units. Carrots in diabetes mellitus, due to the content of fibers in its composition, slows down the absorption of glucose and, therefore, prevents the development of hyperglycemia. However, you should not abuse the vegetable or its juice with diabetes, since the root vegetable contains sugar in its composition. For diabetes, carrots are used in the form of puree, juice without added sugar and as part of other dishes.
• Gastritis. An inflammatory disease of the gastric mucosa, as a result of which dystrophic processes develop and the secretory function of the digestive organ decreases. Carrots at gastritis in the acute period it will be useful if the disease proceeds against a background of low acidity of gastric juice. Also, carrots will be useful outside the exacerbation of chronic gastritis, since they contain niacin, riboflavin, beta-carotene. These substances are able to stimulate reparative processes, improve tissue trophism, which contributes to the healing of ulcerative and erosive lesions of the gastric mucosa.
• Pancreatitis Disease of the pancreas, characterized by an inflammatory process resulting from the "digestion" of the organ by its own enzymes. Carrots for pancreatitis in the acute stage of the disease are not recommended to be eaten raw, because this can cause an increase in the enzymatic activity of the pancreas, which in this case is not permissible. During the period of remission of the disease, the vegetable will help to fill the deficiency of vitamins and minerals formed as a result of adhering to a strict diet. In the acute period, carrots can be eaten boiled.

Important! Before including carrot dishes in the diet for diseases of the digestive tract and diabetes mellitus, you should consult your doctor! Especially, this applies to the use of raw vegetables and carrot juice.

Carrots in diet food

Recommendations for the use of root vegetables for the purpose of weight loss are found on many sites on various topics. The opinions of the authors are usually divided. Some are against the use of carrots, others are for.

Of course, it makes no sense to use carrots for weight loss as an independent means. A vegetable can be one of the foods used in a diet for the following reasons:

• carrots are a source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A by an intestinal enzyme. Vitamin A will help maintain the elasticity of the skin, avoid the appearance of stretch marks as a result of rapid weight loss;
• in addition to beta-carotene, the vegetable contains vitamin complex, minerals, nutrients, which allows it to be a source of energy for the body;
• Since carrots have a pleasant sweet taste, the vegetable will have a mild antidepressant effect, which occurs in most people who adhere to a diet;
• Due to the content of dietary fiber, which slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, eating carrots will bring a long-lasting feeling of satiety.

The use of a root crop while observing a dietary diet is justified by the content of substances beneficial to the body. A vegetable is included in the diet, provided that there are no contraindications associated with the presence of diseases of internal organs.

Useful properties of a vegetable for babies

Carrots take their rightful place in children's nutrition. Vegetable in the form of puree and juices without added sugar is included in complementary foods for young children. The beneficial properties of carrots for children are due to the content of substances for the full growth and development of the child's body:

• the root vegetable contains iodine, which is necessary for the mental development of the baby and the maintenance of immunity;
• the calcium in carrots is good for bones and teeth;
• with a lack of iron in the baby's blood, carrots can be used as an additional remedy against anemia;
• B vitamins take part in all metabolic processes of the child's body;
• potassium and magnesium necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• Due to the content of beta-carotene in the composition, carrots are useful for children's eyes, since vitamin A is involved in the synthesis of the visual pigment rhodopsin. The pigment is important for vision at dusk.

The root vegetable in the children's diet is used in the form of juices, mashed potatoes, as well as in meat, vegetable dishes, soups and just raw. What are the benefits of carrots for children? The benefits of raw carrots are their ability to stimulate intestinal motility. This healing property can be used for constipation in children from 6-7 months.

Rub the carrots on a fine grater and squeeze out a few drops of juice, which is given to the baby. For these purposes, it is better to use fresh carrots, rather than frozen ones. In this case, you should observe whether the child experiences discomfort associated with stool disturbance. If the baby has diarrhea while taking raw carrot juice, then the root vegetable should be stopped.

Can carrots harm health?

The usefulness of carrots for the human body is undeniable. Raw carrots and their juice, as well as a baked, boiled vegetable, are found in many everyday dishes of many people. The root vegetable is useful for pregnant and lactating women. But is carrots useful in all cases, without exception? What can be the harm of carrots?

• Eating large quantities of carrots, especially in childhood, can lead to yellowish skin discoloration. The yellow tint is provided by the beta-carotene contained in the vegetable. The substance accumulates in the body, resulting in liver does not cope with its excess;
• raw carrots, especially grated, or carrot juice should not be taken for gastritis with high acidity, as well as for erosive and ulcerative diseases of the stomach and intestines in the acute stage. This is due to the fact that its constituent acids and coarse dietary fiber can aggravate the situation;
• with an overabundance of vegetables in the diet in people with diabetes, carrots can cause an increase in the level blood glucosesince in its composition includes carbohydrates.

The benefits and harms to human health from eating carrots, of course, are not equal. A vegetable has more beneficial effects than negatively affects health. A vegetable is not capable of harming the body, provided that the measure is followed when using it in the diet. Eating carrots is good for men and women, including pregnant and lactating women, as well as for children and the elderly.

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