It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that carrots are a nutritious and tasty addition to a healthy diet. What you may not know is that they come in a variety of colours which are beneficial to your health. They’re high in essential nutrients, including fibre, healthy carbohydrates, antioxidants, and a great range of vitamins and minerals.
Fibre
Carrots contain soluble fibre, which helps lower cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Carrots also have insoluble fibre, which improves gut health.
Carbohydrates
Carrots are a healthy source of a combination of types of carbohydrates. They have a low glycaemic index (GI); meaning that they help your body use energy from food in a slow, steady way, preventing blood sugar spikes. This means that they’re a good choice for diabetics. Low GI foods can also help you feel fuller for longer, which is helpful for people trying to manage their weight.
Antioxidants
Carrots aren’t just orange, they come in red, purple and yellow; and the compounds which give them their bright colours are a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants are nutrients found in vegetables and fruit that help your body remove harmful free radicals — unstable molecules. If too many free radicals accumulate in your body they can cause cell damage, which can lead to problems like cancer and heart disease.
Vitamins and minerals
Carrots are high in:
- Potassium – good for nerve, muscle and heart function, and helps reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
- Vitamin K – essential for clotting, and also helps build and maintain healthy bones.
- Vitamin B6 – helps convert carbohydrates into energy, keeping you alert and energetic!
- Vitamin A – essential for eye health, immune function and the growth of healthy tissues in your body.
Carrots are an easy addition to your diet as they’re versatile and can be eaten raw or cooked. For those with a ‘sweet tooth’, a carrot cake is a delicious occasional treat, but it’s not the healthiest way to get carrots into your diet!
* Carrots are generally considered safe to eat, but some people can have an allergic reaction to them.
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