The carrots They are conical-shaped and orange-colored vegetables widely used in everyday cooking. They can be consumed both cooked and raw, they even constitute an important ingredient in a large number of juice or shake-type preparations.
They form the root of the plant Daucus carotaoriginally from Asia, from where it spread to the other continents, China currently being its main producer, followed by the United States and Russia.
Carrots are rich in Betacarotenes
Carrots are widely known for their effects on vision, especially in improving night vision, an effect due to their high concentrations of beta-carotene, substances that are transformed by the body into vitamin A. Another beneficial effect of carrots on eye health consists of its ability to prevent retinal degenerative disorders such as macular degeneration, a relatively common cause of blindness in the elderly.
These beta-carotenes also give it antioxidant effects, which contribute to improving the skin, cardiovascular protection and bone quality, also playing an important role in strengthening the immune system, which increases the body’s resistance against infectious diseases and disorders such as cancer.
Carrots are also capable of stimulating the production of melanin by skin cells, this helps protect it from ultraviolet radiation from the sun while accelerating tanning. This is the reason why it is incorporated into the manufacture of various sunscreens and tanners.
Another common use of carrots is as part of antidiarrheal diets, since it has an astringent effect on the intestine that helps reduce water loss through the stool, thus preventing dehydration. In diarrheal cases it is recommended as an ingredient in chicken soups, accompanying other anti-diarrheal vegetables such as celery and green plantains.
Carrots can be eaten both raw and cooked.
This vegetable can be eaten in a wide variety of ways. Its main use is prepared cooked or steamed, sautéed either alone or accompanied by other vegetables, it is also part of preparations such as rice, stews, creams and soups.
It can also be used raw, grated in salads, sautéed slightly cooked in Asian food preparations, or it can even be combined with orange and beetroot, as well as with other vegetables in preparations such as juices (especially celery, spinach, and parsley. They are also very Desserts such as carrot cake and Christmas cake with carrots are popular.
Photos: iStock-Claudiad / Neustockimages
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