Gardening can be a very rewarding experience. After all, there’s nothing quite like harvesting fresh, juicy veggies from your very own garden patch after weeks of hard work. But many vegetable gardeners don’t stop at one patch. Seasoned gardeners with thriving veggie pots and planters grow all sorts of staples, like spinach, lettuce, peas and carrots. Carrots, in particular, are arguably one of the most popular veggies found in almost every home garden, and for good reason. Carrots can grow in any climate and can even tolerate a bit of shade. Plus, carrots hardly require daily pruning and watering – perfect for beginners.

But these little root veggies aren’t garden staples for these reasons alone. Carrots are packed with amazing health benefits (besides improving your eyesight). Here are some of them:

Boost the immune system

Carrots are a rich source of vitamin C, which the body cannot produce on its own. Luckily, you can get vitamin C from many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, lemons, broccoli and carrots.

Vitamin C is an especially powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the body’s natural defenses. As an antioxidant, vitamin C also helps prevent inflammation, which is why adequate intake of vitamin C can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Nourish the skin

Did you know that the carrot is named after its color? Beta-carotene is the name of the red-orange pigment that gives the carrot its rich, colorful skin. This pigment can do wonders for your own skin as well.

Beta-carotene is also an antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A. Not only does vitamin A help preserve your eyesight, it also promotes firm and healthy skin. If you suffer from dry, wrinkly skin, consider including carrots in your diet. You can also try drinking carrot juice regularly to keep your skin hydrated, which can prevent acne and reduce the appearance of blemishes.

Moreover, the vitamin A in carrots helps protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Many synthetic sunscreens are formulated with chemicals that can cause rashes, burns and other side effects. Luckily, you can protect your skin from the inside by including skin-nourishing foods like carrots in your diet.

But be careful not to go overboard with eating carrots. Too much beta-carotene can temporarily turn your skin orange!

Promote gut health

Carrots are naturally rich in dietary fiber, which helps keep your digestive system healthy. A healthy gut can aid in weight loss attempts and keep your metabolism in check. Plus, you are less likely to experience constipation, diarrhea and other gut problems when there is an adequate amount of fiber in your system. Pectin, the soluble fiber in carrots, also helps lower cholesterol levels by impairing the absorption of cholesterol in your digestive tract.

Lower blood pressure

Beta-carotene isn’t just good for your skin, it can also help lower blood pressure, along with potassium.

High blood pressure may be a symptom of an underlying disease or a risk factor of a serious illness. For instance, high blood pressure may be a symptom of diabetes or heart disease, which increases your risk of metabolic syndrome. Luckily, the beta-carotene and potassium found in carrots have been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and regulating heart and kidney functions.

Improve oral health

Maintaining healthy gums and teeth isn’t just about ditching junk food and artificially sweetened drinks. The foods you eat also play a part in oral health.

Carrots are rich in keratin, which is a strong insoluble protein found in the hair, skin, nails and tooth enamel. Keratin works hand in hand with vitamin C to fortify the teeth and prevent cavities. In fact, munching on a raw carrot can help dislodge plaque around the gums.

Carrots are sweet, crunchy vegetables you can incorporate into all sorts of recipes. They are a rich source of essential vitamins, which help fortify the body to prevent diseases. Start growing carrots now to enjoy the numerous health benefits that carrots have to offer.

Sources:

MedicalNewsToday.com

Healthline.com

TasteOfHome.com 1

TasteOfHome.com 2

MyHealthByNature.com