Carrot: properties, benefits and nutritional value

You have probably heard many times that "carrots are good for your eyesight". However, it is much more than that, as carrots are one of the foods with the most health benefits. In this post we wanted to delve a little deeper into all the properties of this vegetable. We are sure that if it is not yet part of your diet, with what we are going to tell you below you will reconsider.

And also, discover the properties of fennel and the benefits of avocado oil to complete your diet and have an enviable health ;)

Nutritional value of carrots

Carrots are rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and iodine. In addition, they also stand out for their vitamins and low calorie content. This is the nutritional value of 100 g of carrots.

• Water: 88.29 g
• Carbohydrates: 9.5 g
• Protein: 0.93 g
• Fat: 0.22 g
• Fibre: 2.7 g
• Calcium: 32 mg
• Iron: 0,4 mg
• Iodine: 6.50 mg
• Magnesium: 12 mg
• Sodium: 68 mg
• Potassium: 320 mg
• Phosphorus: 34 mg
  

What vitamins are in carrots?

Carrots are rich in vitamin A, B, C, E and K.

How many calories are there in carrots?

Carrot is one of the lowest calorie foods, although depending on how you eat it, these calories can vary. For example, cooked carrots, because they have less fat and more water, have fewer calories than raw carrots.

To give you an idea, while 100 grams of raw carrots have approximately 40 kcal, 100 grams of cooked carrots have 30 kcal. Still, in both cases this is a very small amount, so it's perfect for incorporating into a lot of recipes.

Are carrots fattening?

Carrots are not fattening. It is one of the healthiest foods and should be a must in any diet due to its low calorie count and low glycaemic index.

If you want to consume as few calories as possible, we recommend eating it cooked. However, if you want to take advantage of all its vitamins, it is best to eat it raw because cooking destroys most of its vitamins.

Properties and Benefits of carrots

As you probably already know, carrots are very good for your eyesight. But in addition to this, they can also boast other health benefits.

Good for the eyes

Its antioxidant properties prevent the appearance of cataracts and protect the retinas, preventing macular degeneration. It also serves to increase visual acuity and combat the symptoms of photophobia or hypersensitivity to sunlight. Its consumption is also a good remedy for treating conjunctivitis or sties.

Strengthens and cares for tooth enamel

Eating raw carrots strengthens teeth and stimulates the blood supply to the mouth, preventing bacteria from sticking to the teeth. The fluoride in these foods prevents tooth decay and keeps tooth enamel in good condition.

Diuretic effect

Thanks to its high water content and its diuretic effect, the consumption of carrots reduces the chances of kidney stones. It also helps to break them down when they are already formed.

Digestive properties

Carrots are also high in fibre, which repairs the intestinal flora and helps to cleanse the body of impurities. This makes it a perfect home remedy for intestinal disorders and stomach pain caused, for example, by stomach ulcers.

Cardiovascular properties

Another health benefit of carrots is that they help stimulate blood flow and prevent plaque in the arteries, so regular consumption of carrots will help your heart health.

Energy source

Their high potassium and phosphorus content makes them an ideal home remedy for combating tiredness or exhausted minds. In addition, it is also a food that can be very useful for controlling nerves.

Antibacterial properties

Thanks to its antibacterial properties and high flavonoid content, you can apply carrot slices to your external wounds to prevent them from becoming infected and help repair the skin more quickly.

Strengthens nails and hair

This is one of their most famous properties. Thanks to its beta-carotene content, which in contact with our body is transformed into Vitamin A (this vitamin repairs cells damaged by external agents), carrots are the best remedy for strengthening and revitalising nails and hair. In this way, you will prevent hair loss and keep it shiny and soft.

Prevents ageing

As mentioned above, carrots have antioxidant properties that fight free radicals, so eating this vegetable can be very good for delaying the signs of ageing and boasting smooth, youthful, wrinkle-free skin.

In addition to these properties, carrots have many more health benefits, so they are, without a doubt, a food that you must include in your diet. Juice, mashed, raw, cooked... the recipes in which you can enjoy it are endless. What are you waiting for?