Do You Like Eating Carrots? Wanna Try?

The first question that came to mind before I started eating carrots was, is it a vegetable, or a fruit? the answer is it's a vegetable. Why not a fruit? coz' they do not carry the seeds. Normally, a vegetable is a part of a plant which is edible or eatable and is not formed from the flower. For those who does not like eating carrots, I would like to encourage you to try coz' of the following reasons I've found out:

1. Raw carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium; they contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, folic acid, and magnesium. This is a truly versatile vegetable and an excellent source of vitamins B and C as well as calcium pectate, an extraordinary pectin fibre that has been found to have cholesterol-lowering properties.
The carrot is an herbaceous plant containing about 87% water, rich in mineral salts and vitamins (B,C,D,E).

2. Carrots have many important vitamins and minerals. They are rich in antioxidants Beta Carotene, Alpha Carotene, Phytochemicals and Glutathione, Calcium and Potassium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E, which are also considered antioxidants, protecting as well as nourishing the skin. They contain a form of calcium easily absorbed by the body. Finally they also contain Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous.and Sulphur - better than a wonder drug!! Good health never came out of a bottle or capsule.

3. From those elements, carrots benefit our bodies by:

• Boosting immunity (especially among older people).
• Reducing photosensitivity (beta-carotene protects the skin from sun damage).
• Improving symptoms of HIV.
• Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• Helping to heal minor wounds and injuries.
• Reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
• Cleansing the liver, and when consumed regularly, can help the liver excrete fats and bile. ( I like this part..hehehe)
• Fighting bronchitis.
• Fighting infection (vitamin A keeps cell membranes healthy, making them stronger against disease-causing microorganisms)
• Improving muscle, flesh, and skin health.
• Helping fight aneamia.
• Reducing acne.
• Improving eye health.

4. Carrots also help reduce a wide range of cancers including lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestine, bladder, prostate and breast. Some research indicated beta carotene may actually cause cancer, but this has not proven that eating carrots, unless in very large quantities - 2 to 3 kilos a day, can cause cancer. You are advised to eat only 1 or 2 carrots a day. Or the least of 5 carrots a week.

If you like eating them raw or juiced, you decide by this nutrition chart:

Carrots/1 cup shredded raw
Calories 47
Total fat (g) 0.2
Saturated fat (g) 0
Monounsaturated fat (g) 0
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 0.1
Dietary fiber (g) 3.3
Protein (g) 1
Carbohydrate (g) 11
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Sodium (mg) 39
Beta-carotene (mg) 15

Carrot Juice/1/2 cup
Calories 47
Total fat (g) 0.2
Saturated fat (g) 0
Monounsaturated fat (g) 0
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 0.1
Dietary fiber (g) 0.9
Protein (g) 1
Carbohydrate (g) 11
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Sodium (mg) 34
Beta-carotene (mg) 6.3

And the most exciting part for me is, I can eat 2 carrots a day with only P10.oo pesos which is only 4.8 cents in dollar. wanna try?? happy eating!