Carrots Benefits, Benefits & Harmfuls Of Calories ⋆ 👨‍🌾 Farmer-online ⋆

Carrots are a biennial plant that has long been cultivated by humans. In the first year of life, he has a rosette of leaves and a fleshy root crop, and the next – a seed bush with many seeds. This vegetable is widespread throughout the planet, including Mediterranean countries, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, America.

About 60 carrot species are now known. Between themselves, they differ in the shape of the root (conical, spherical, oval, cylindrical, spindle-shaped) and color (yellow, red, orange, white, purple).

A bit of history

Carrots are the oldest vegetable plant that has been consumed by people for over 4 thousand years. ^.… The homeland of species with orange and reddish roots is the Mediterranean, and with white, yellow and purple – Afghanistan and India.

In ancient Greece and Rome, carrots were called “carote” and “daucus”. The ancient Romans attributed this vegetable to the treats used for celebrations and holidays. He was also revered in the Middle Ages. Carrot dishes were treated to noble guests who had visited Charlemagne in the XNUMXth century. Only a little later, in the XNUMXth century, this vegetable turned from a delicacy into an ubiquitous plant.

In the next century, fodder carrots were developed, which are now massively grown in the UK. This variety is not very appetizing, but very large: its length can reach 40 cm, and its diameter is about 30 centimeters. Carrots came to our country in the XNUMXth century ^{farmer-online.com}.

The composition and beneficial properties of the root

In terms of vitamin content, carrots surpass not only all vegetables, but also meat and dairy products. It contains many minerals: calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, iodine and other essential minerals for humans.

The outside of carrots contains the most nutrients ^..

1 table. “The chemical composition of carrots”

Composition
Nutritional value in 100 grams

Proteins 1,3 g Carbohydrates 6,9 g Fats 0,1 g Water 88 g Dietary fiber 2,4 g Ash 1 g Starch 0,2 g Organic acids 0,3 g

Vitamins

Beta-carotene 8,8 mg Vitamin B3 / PP (niacin) 1,1 mg Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 5 mg Vitamin E (tocopherol) 0,04 mg Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 0,06 mg Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 0,07 , 5 mg Vitamin B0,3 (pantothenic acid) 6 mg Vitamin B0,1 (pyridoxine) 8 mg Vitamin B29,2 (inositol) 9 mg Vitamin B9 (folic acid) 13,3 mcg Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 0.06 mcg Vitamin H (biotin) XNUMX μg

Minerals

Potassium 200 mg Calcium 27 mg Sodium 21 mg Magnesium 38 mg Phosphorus 55 mg Sulfur 6 mg Chlorine 63 mg Copper 80 μg Zinc 0,4 mg Iron 0,7 mg Fluorine 55 μg Copper 80 μg Iodine 5 μg Chromium 3 μg Manganese 0,2 mg Selenium 0,1 mg Vanadium 99 μg Molybdenum 20 μg Boron 200 μg Nickel 6 μg Aluminum 326 μg Lithium 6 μg Cobalt 2 μg

Carrots are a low-calorie product: 100 grams contains 35 kcal. A boiled root vegetable contains 7 to 10 fewer calories.

Carrots can be consumed at any time of the year, as it is perfectly processed and preserved. It can be pickled, sour, dry, freeze, pickle. Edible vegetables are not only roots, but also young tops.

There is a lot of carotene in carrots – a substance that in the human body turns into retinol (vitamin A) ^.… So, 100 grams of raw carrots contains 9 mg of carotene (for reference: this is 8 times more than tomatoes). Retinol is extremely important for the proper physical and mental development of children, and also contributes to skin elasticity and improved metabolism. With its deficiency, the skin becomes dry, abscesses may appear on them, and the nails become brittle. This is why retinol is known as a beauty vitamin. For better assimilation of carotene, carrots should be grated and seasoned with oil (vegetable, butter) or sour cream. A typical manifestation of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness, in which visual impairment occurs at night and at dusk. ^. ^..

Carrots have a choleretic, anthelmintic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-sclerotic and expectorant effect on the body. It also enhances the work of the digestive system.

Carrot juice helps to relieve fatigue, increases the body’s resistance to colds, improves appetite, vision and complexion, reduces the toxic effects of antibiotics on the body, eliminates constipation ^..

The benefits of boiled carrots

Scientific studies have shown that boiled carrots have more antioxidant properties than raw carrots. When cooked, the level of antioxidants increases by almost 34%. Antioxidants not only rejuvenate tissue cells and skin, but also prevent the development of many diseases of the brain and nervous system, in particular Alzheimer’s disease ^[8].

Boiled root vegetable helps to treat dysbiosis, nephritis and malignant neoplasms. It has antimicrobial properties. For medicinal purposes, nutritionists advise using a young vegetable of bright red color. ^[9].

Boiled carrots are often included in the diet of people with diabetes mellitus, because they tend to normalize blood sugar levels, while saturating the body well.

Benefits of tops

Many useful substances for the human body are contained in carrot tops. From greens with root vegetables, you can prepare a filling for tortillas or pies. When boiled, fragrant decoctions come out of it, allowing you to make the taste of soups more intense.

The leaves and stems of the tops help reduce the appearance of varicose veins. To do this, you need to prepare a decoction: 2 tablespoons of chopped tops pour 2 cups of boiling water, leave overnight. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day. To get rid of hemorrhoids, the tops should be brewed like tea. The drink can be consumed without restriction throughout the day. The duration of treatment is 1 month. By applying carrot tops to the back of your head, you can get rid of various sleep disorders. With prostatitis, you need to make compresses on the lower abdomen from mashed carrot tops every day. With cystitis, pour a handful of chopped tops with 500 ml of boiling water and leave for an hour. Drink 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

The benefits of carrot juice

Carrot juice tends to strengthen the retina of the eyes, so doctors advise to drink it daily for people who have vision problems ^[10]… If a person has to work at a computer for a long time, then it is worth regularly drinking it on an empty stomach.

Carrot juice with honey can help relieve hoarseness and coughs. It is also useful for diseases of the kidneys and liver, as well as cardiovascular pathology. ^[11]… It is advised to use it for the elderly and pregnant women. To eliminate spring vitamin deficiency, juice is consumed three times a day, half a glass.

Selection and storage rules

When choosing carrots, you need to consider such points. ^[12]:

Pay attention to the shape of the vegetable. It should be firm, with a smooth surface, without cracks and build-up, the correct form. It is better to choose carrots with green tops – this indicates its freshness.
Choose medium-sized carrots for easy cooking. Large carrots are very often tough.
Young thin vegetable is sweeter.
No need to take carrots with lethargic tops, cracks or stains, soft and with the presence of a green zone at the base.

How best to store carrots? It is important to:

Remove the tops, as it will absorb nutrients and moisture from the root.
Then the carrots should be wrapped in bubble wrap: this way you can keep the moisture in the optimal amount and freshness for several weeks. When stored in plastic bags, the decay process occurs quickly.
Store wrapped carrots in the refrigerator. It is better to use it for 1-2 weeks, since it is at this time that it tastes best and contains a lot of nutrients.
You can store the vegetable in the basement in small boxes with a lid and dense walls. For longer storage, you need to take coniferous sawdust. They contain essential oils that prevent rot and sprouting. In the cellar, carrots can be stored by placing them in the sand.
When growing carrots on your own plot, you can leave a small amount in the ground. A small snow cover will protect it from freezing and with the arrival of spring it will be possible to harvest.

The storage time of the root depends on the storage option:

in film in the refrigerator – 1-2 of the month;
in the sand – 6-8 months;
in closed boxes – 5-8 months;
in coniferous sawdust – about 1 of the year.

Use in cooking

Carrots can be used to make a wide variety of dishes. It goes well with almost any food: cereals, other vegetables, meat. It is included in second courses, soups, salads, sweet products ^[13]… It is eaten stewed, canned, boiled, raw and dried.

Carrots have a sweetish taste, which depends on the variety (there are roots of varying degrees of sweetness). The peculiar aroma of the vegetable is determined by the essential oils that are present in its composition.

When cooking carrots, you must follow some rules:

Dishes cooked with sour cream or butter. This is because the carotene contained in the vegetable is fat soluble, and it is this preparation that will contribute to the better absorption of vitamin A.
In order to preserve useful substances, it is better to stew carrots and steam.
It is imperative to cook the vegetable under the lid: this way you can preserve all its useful composition, aroma and taste.
Fans of syroedee carrots better not to grind grated and nibble. This is because when its surface comes into contact with the metal, some useful substances volatilize. In addition, if you gnaw this vegetable raw, you can strengthen your teeth.

What exactly can be cooked from carrots?

The juice. It tastes great and contains many beneficial substances. It can be combined with other juices to get the vitamins you need.
Carrot puree. It can be added to a variety of dishes, including rolls and sauces. This is a healthy dish for children.
Carrot julienne.
Carrot halva. It is very tasty and low in calories, therefore it is used as a snack between meals or as a dessert.
Carrot cake. In addition to its excellent taste, it has maximum benefits, its regular use has a positive effect on vision.
Carrot appetizer with pepper and salt. This is a great healthy food option.

Carrots are used in dietary nutrition for anemia, hypovitaminosis, liver, kidney and cardiovascular diseases ^[14].

Use in cosmetology

The vegetable is widely used in cosmetology. Carrot juice relieves inflammation, dries and disinfects the skin a little. You can only use whole freshly squeezed carrot juice, never from packets.

Face care

In the presence of lesions on the skin (acne, acne, etc.), as well as freckles, clean skin should be wiped with a mixture of carrot and lemon juice.

You can make carrot face masks. In order to remove dead cells, you must first use a scrub. This prevents the skin from turning orange. Before use, it is imperative to conduct a test: first apply the mask to your wrist to make sure there are no allergies to carrots. For masks, you can use the vegetable both raw and boiled. You need to keep masks with carrots for no more than 15-20 minutes, do it once a week. Let’s dwell on some of them.

For dry skin

On a fine grater, grate 2 tablespoons of carrots, add a teaspoon of olive oil and 1 yolk. Stir everything. Apply the mask to the face, then rinse with warm water.

For combination skin

Combine 2 tablespoons of finely grated boiled carrots with 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply on face and rinse off after 15 minutes. This mask is used when there is no allergy to honey. It perfectly moisturizes, nourishes the skin, makes it beautiful and radiant.

For oily skin

Take 2 tablespoons of raw grated carrots, 1 a teaspoon of flour and 1 egg white, mix everything and on 20 minutes apply a mask on cleansed skin. After 20 minutes, wash off. This mask allows you to narrow pores, dries the skin and improves its elasticity, removes the greasy shine from the face.

In addition to masks, you can make cosmetic carrot ice. To do this, the vegetable juice must be poured into molds and frozen. Rub the face with this ice cube to moisturize and give freshness. Then they wash themselves with running water.

Hair Care

Carrots will also help strengthen your hair and give it a beautiful shine. To do this, after washing them, you need to rinse them with a decoction of carrot tops, then wrap the hair and hold it for an hour. You do not need to wash off. Hair can be rinsed with carrot juice diluted in half with water. You can also dilute with infusions of some plants – calendula, chamomile, string.

You can prepare special hair masks, which include carrots:

When planning to wash your hair, rub grated carrots, pre-mixed with burdock oil (2 Art. Spoons) into your hair. Hold the 10-15 for minutes and rinse with cool running water. Next, wash your hair with shampoo.
Stir grated carrots with 1 a tablespoon of honey, rub into your hair. After 10-15 minutes, wash off the mask and wash the hair with shampoo.
Mix 1 / 4 glass of carrot broth with the same amount of strong chamomile infusion. Add 1 chicken egg yolk and 1 a tablespoon of castor oil. Apply to hair and wash off after 10-15 minutes.
Take in equal parts (1 / 4 glass) carrot juice and strong nettle extract, mix and in the resulting liquid, dilute 1 with a teaspoon of sea salt. Moisten the hair in the resulting solution and hold for 5-10 minutes. Rinse first with running water and then, as usual, with shampoo.
In a coffee grinder, chop the dried chamomile flowers, pour them with the infusion of carrot tops (a small amount) so as to obtain a non-liquid slurry. To the resulting mass add 1 egg, stir and apply on hair, hold 15-20 for minutes, then rinse.

Hand care

A decoction of carrots will make the skin of the hands soft and velvety, so it is used to make baths:

Dissolve 1/2 tsp in warm broth. soda and 1 tbsp. l. honey. Lower your arms for 10-15 minutes.
Take equal parts of the broth of carrots and milk, mix and do the bath for 10-15 minutes.
In the hot carrot broth, dissolve the baby soap (a small piece), cool a little, and hold your hands in this mixture for 10-15 minutes.

It is not recommended to do too hot baths, as it can dry out the skin. After the procedure, rinse your hands with warm water, wipe dry and lubricate with cream.

Carrot has a healing effect. Therefore, if there are cracks on the hands, carrot gruel can be applied to the affected areas to help get rid of this problem.

Before performing the manicure you need to prepare your hands. To do this, you can use broth or carrot juice, which helps strengthen the nails and soften the skin of the hands.

Chiropody

Carrot decoction is also used for foot care. It will help in such cases:

For hardened skin on the heels, take 3 liters of carrot broth, dissolve 3 tbsp in it. l. mustard. Use this mixture for a bath, after which rub the rough areas with a pumice stone. Rinse your feet with cool water, wipe dry and lubricate with cream.
Soften the skin of the feet of the bath of 3 liters of carrot broth and 2 tablespoons of soda.
To relieve fatigue, make a foot bath of carrot broth with chamomile or sage infusion.

For losing weight

The carrot diet is very often used for weight loss. ^[15]… It is not only very healthy, but also delicious. This diet can be used in different ways depending on the goal (for 3, 7 and 10 days).

On 3 of the day

During the course of such a diet, you can lose 2-3 kilograms. All this time, the root crop can be eaten without any restrictions and in any quantity.

The rules for the three-day carrot diet are as follows:

nothing can be eaten except carrots;
for the salad, you can use lemon juice;
the root must be fresh, chopped on a fine or medium grater;
be sure to drink several glasses of freshly made juice per day;
non-carbonated water and green tea without added sugar are also allowed from liquids.

The rules 3 and 4 can be attributed to the seven- and ten-day diet.

The diet with this diet is 6 once a day.

On 7 days

Weekly course carrot diet will get rid of 4-6 kilograms. The power scheme in this case is as follows:

Breakfast: carrot salad, seasoned with 1 tsp. honey, a glass of low-fat kefir.
Lunch: carrot salad with kiwi, seasoned with 1 tbsp. l. sour cream.
Snack: salad from boiled carrots with apple, dressed with sour cream.
Dinner: carrots with fruit (any), low-fat cottage cheese (120 g).

Daily menu items are repeated.

On 10 days

When planning to get rid of 7-9 kilograms, you can apply a ten-day carrot diet. It is very tough, so the menu is poor. Throughout the entire time, you can eat only carrots seasoned with 1 tbsp. a spoonful of low-fat sour cream. At this time, you will feel severe fatigue, because the body’s protein reserves are consumed, not replenishing. This will be especially pronounced during physical exertion. However, after 4 days you can see the first result.

To diversify the menu, salad can be made from boiled root vegetables, but you should not do this more than 1 time a day. You can drink 2-3 glasses of carrot juice per day.

Противопоказания

You can not resort to such a diet in the presence of problems with the cardiovascular system and the digestive system, since any mono-diet is a high load on the body. It is not advisable to diet on nursing and pregnant women. In the presence of chronic pathology, diet can be used only after consulting with a specialist or under medical supervision.

Important! You can not drink on an empty stomach carrot juice. It is better to drink an hour before breakfast a glass of water.

Long-term use of carrots in people with fair skin may develop an icteric shade. Therefore, they do not want a diet that lasts more than 3 days.

As soon as the state of health worsens, you need to interrupt the diet.

Rules of exit from the diet

To consolidate the achieved results, you need to properly get out of the carrot diet.

On the 4th, 8th or 11th day (depending on the duration of the course), you can introduce into the diet a little baked or boiled potatoes and a slice of rye bread. Then dairy products with low calorie content are gradually added, then vegetables and meat.

Even having achieved the desired result, do not rush to return to the buns, sweets and other delicacies. After all, to gain weight again can be faster than to get rid of it. Do not forget about it!

Harm and contraindications

Despite the benefits, carrots in some cases can hurt. It is about allergic reactions and overeating.

If you eat more than a kilogram of this vegetable per day, you may experience an upset stomach with unpleasant consequences. It is also possible to develop carotene jaundice (the whole body and face will be covered with characteristic yellow spots). If this happens, then carrot lovers need to refrain from using it for several days and the spots will gradually disappear.

There are a number of contraindications for eating carrots. You can not eat it with inflammation of the small intestine, peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach. Do not get too carried away with the juice of this vegetable, because the excess amount of carotene in the body has a negative effect on the liver. The liver cannot cope with the absorption of this substance, which can lead to carotene hepatitis.

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