The exciting health benefits of organic carrots are many. In addition to carrots’ candied flavor and gratifying crunch, carrots are brimming with beta carotene, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Considered a root vegetable, carrots, also called Daucuscarota, is a biennial crop with colors that range from orange through purple, red, black, yellow to white, but the flesh is usually a yellow-orange.
Carrots are one of the 10 most economically important vegetable crops in the world. In 2012, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), almost 37 million tons of carrots and turnips were produced worldwide for human consumption.
As a child, you were probably told to eat your carrots more than several times because they are good for your eyes — and they are. However, carrots don’t cure preexisting vision issues, but they can protect against sight concerns caused by a vitamin A deficiency. If you need to lower your risk for heart disease, strokes, and cancer – eat organic carrots. If you need healthier skin, hair, and nails – eat organic carrots. While all these health benefits are actual, there are more exciting health benefits of carrots.
Nutritional Value of Organic Carrots
Carrots are high in natural Vitamin A, and a great source of Vitamin D, C, K, and E. Carrots also contain minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. The high fiber content in carrots acts as a cleansing agent. The serving size of 100 grams provides 41 calories, 4.74 grams of sugar, 9.58 grams of carbohydrate, and 0.93 gram of protein. This same amount offers 3.30% of calcium, 6.56% of Vitamin C, and 3.75% of iron needs per serving.
Why Organic Carrots?
I don’t want to discourage my readers from eating carrots because the overall health benefits of carrots are great. However, carrots also tend to absorb pesticides and heavy metals from the soil in which they are grown. What about peeling the carrots? Peeling the carrots can help since the peel is said to contain the highest concentration of pesticides. However, even when carrots are peeled, testing indicates conventionally grown carrots often contain a wide variety of pesticide residues.
Yes To Canning Organic Carrots
Did you know that canning your organic carrots is an excellent addition to those yummy homemade soups and stews during the fall and winter months? For those who are thinking, why should I can carrots? Mainly for convenience, space, and to have organic carrots on-hand for the fall and winter. Getting enough Vitamin A during those months improves the immune system.
Canning carrots doesn’t take much time, and it’s very convenient to have carrots pre-cooked and ready to add to any meal as a side dish or as an ingredient in a healthy soup, salad, or stew. Raw carrots are also a delicious, easy, and very healthy snack. Go here for lots of great info about how to successfully can carrots.
Exciting Health Benefits of Organic Carrots
Whole, cut, or cooked carrots provide nutritional benefits no matter what form you enjoy them. Below are some exciting health benefits of organic carrots.
- Protective against cardiovascular disease
- High in the antioxidant beta-carotene
- Prevents oxidative damage
- Carrot intake may inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells
- Supports eye health
- Supports a healthy digestive tract
- Improves kidney function
- Supports healthy liver function
- Supports healthy skin
- Anti-viral properties
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports a healthy immune system
- First grown as a medicine, not a food
- Supports healthy metabolism
- Supports healthy hydration
- Supports healthy blood pressure
- Rich in minerals
- Increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the body
- Supports healthy cholesterol levels
- Slows down cell aging
- Fights free radicals from air pollution
- Promotes healthy blood sugar levels
- A natural mouth cleanser
Did You Know? Carrots do have seeds. The seeds are part of the green stems that grow above the ground, which most people discard. If left to grow, these stems will flower and produce seeds.
Disease Prevention Properties of Organic Carrots
Foods that can help lower your health risks and prevent serious diseases are essential, and carrots are definitely at the top of the list. A great source of vitamin C, carrots can help boost your immune system. Some research indicates that consuming beta-carotene reduces the risk of some cancers and even strokes. Carrots can also decrease the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Vitamin A is often deficient in people with autoimmune diseases, with Hashimoto’s being no exception. Vitamin A is an antioxidant and essential for immune function. Vitamin A works together with zinc and vitamin E to convert T4 to T3 in appropriate amounts for the thyroid. A form of vitamin A is the carotenoids, precursors to vitamin A. Carotenoids are found in yellow and orange colored vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots, and other green vegetables.
Even regular consumption of organic carrots can provide you with some excellent health benefits this article offers. And you automatically get extra points if you have access to a raw juice juicer; you can enjoy the health benefits of lots of carrots without crunching your way through them. It sounds like a win-win to me!
Red Cabbage Salad with Carrots and Walnuts Recipe
Ingredient List
- 1 large organic red cabbage, cored and finely shredded
- 2 large organic carrots, peeled and finely grated
- 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh dill
- 1/2 cup raw organic walnut pieces
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed organic lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar
- Himalayan salt (to taste)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (3rd party verified)
Additional Ingredients for Red Cabbage Salad with Carrots and Walnuts: Organic cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, pecans.
Directions
- Wash cabbage and carrots thoroughly. Peel carrots if you like.
- Immerse shredded cabbage in cold water for 15 minutes while preparing the remaining ingredients. Drain and pat dry as much as possible.
- Toss together the cabbage, carrots, parsley, walnuts, chives, and dill.
- Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, Himalayan salt, pepper, garlic, and Dijon mustard. Whisk in the olive oil. Toss into the vegetables and herbs. Taste and adjust seasonings to taste. Serve. Before serving, cold salad, allow the salad to sit for 30 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator.
Keto Mayonnaise Salad Dressing for Red Cabbage Salad with Carrots and Walnuts
Some prefer a mayonnaise-based salad dressing for a cabbage salad. This one is delicious!
Use this in place of Step 4 in the Directions above.
Ingredients
- 1/3 Cup Mayonnaise (avocado mayonnaise recommended)
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp. Organic Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Pepper
- 1/8 tsp. Paprika
- Pinch Salt
Mix all ingredients, then mix into the salad.
