Did you know? There is a type of vegetable that is called “Poor Man’s Ginseng” that helps reduce weight and prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It is sold in all markets in Thailand.
Among the vegetables that are rich in nutrients, “Carrot” is one vegetable that can be easily purchased at every market and often appears in every family’s meals. In fact, it is more useful than we think. It has even been called “the poor man’s ginseng” because it is easy to find, cheap, and full of nutrients that have the property of curing diseases. Whether eaten fresh or cooked into various menus, it is popular because of its sweet and sour taste that is easy to eat.
In addition to the health benefits we already know, carrots also have some surprising benefits that we should all know about.
Excellent benefits for vision
Since childhood, we have all heard the adage, “Eat lots of carrots for good eyesight.” And it’s not just a joke. Carrots are actually a food that can help improve our eyesight. According to Health, carrots contain vitamin A, an important nutrient that acts as an antioxidant to protect cells. It can also help prevent cancer, age-related macular degeneration, and measles. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause dry eyes, and can worsen vision, including night blindness.
Helps to lose weight
In addition to fiber, carrots also have a high water content. In particular, one carrot contains up to 88% water. For this reason, eating carrots helps you feel full longer and reduces the amount of food you eat. According to a study published in the journal Nutrients in 2021, compared to other vegetables, carrots with low calories can help reduce body mass index (BMI) and reduce obesity rates more. In addition, the fiber in carrots helps reduce the risk of constipation. And some studies have shown that it reduces the risk of colon cancer.
Prevent diabetes
Although carrots are higher in sugar than other foods, they do have anti-diabetic properties, which was confirmed in a study published in the journal Food and Nutrition Sciences. It said that people with low levels of carotenoids (the orange pigments in carrots) had higher blood sugar levels, indicating that carotenoids can help control diabetes. The soluble fiber in carrots also helps control blood sugar and insulin levels after a ยูฟ่าเบท meal. Fresh or steamed carrots have a low glycemic index, providing a steady supply of energy.
Reduce the risk of cancer.
The antioxidant in carrots called beta-carotene helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. In addition, carrots also contain another carotenoid called lycopene, which has anti-cancer properties, such as stomach cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. It also helps improve blood vessel health and prevents heart and blood vessel disease.
Reduce the risk of heart disease
In addition to the fiber content, carrots also contain major antioxidants such as carotenoids, polyacetylenes, and vitamin C, which help lower blood cholesterol levels. The high potassium content in carrots also helps control blood pressure levels by flushing out excess sodium.
Having high sodium levels in the body is one of the causes of high blood pressure, according to a report published in the journal Foods in 2019. Phenolic compounds in carrots help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They have antioxidant properties and help maintain normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the body.
Improve skin complexion
Carrots contain antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin C. Which help remove external impurities and protect the skin from free radical damage. In addition, the vitamin C in carrots stimulates the production of collagen, which keeps our skin elastic and youthful.
Boost brain health:
Natural compounds in carrots have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. One of these is lutein, an antioxidant that helps protect the retina from degeneration and has also been linked to brain function. A 2021 study published in Nutrients found that lutein benefited brain health in older adults.