6 reasons you should be eating ... Carrots
Carrots have been grown for thousands of years, but did you know they weren’t always orange? Originally carrots were only available in yellow and purple varieties, with the distinct orange pigment not being developed until the 1600s. People have always been fascinated with the healthy properties of carrots, and while they might not exactly give you night vision, we’ve got six fantastic reasons you should be eating them.
1) Micronutrients
Micronutrients are made up of vitamins and minerals that our body needs daily to stay healthy and active. Carrots are rich in a vitamin called biotin, which aids in protein and fat metabolism. Carrots also contain a high level of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, helping to promote good vision and a healthy immune system.
2) Fibre
Carrots are a good source of fibre. A medium size carrot (100g) contains on average 10% of your recommended daily intake of fibre. Fibre has many health benefits including lowering cholesterol, weight control and improving digestive health.
3) Eye Health
Vitamin A is linked to overall eye health and can aid in an individual’s ability to see in the dark - low levels of vitamin A can lead to night blindness. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and consuming a medium size carrot (100g) can contain up to 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.
4) Weight Loss
Carrots are very low in protein and fat, and a fair portion of the their carbohydrate content is from dietary fibre – One medium sized carrot (100g) contains roughly 0.9g of protein, 9.6g of carbohydrates and 0.2g of fat. Carrots are also made up of over 80% water, making them a low kilojoule food that’s great for incorporating into a healthy meal or snack.
5) Low GI
Carrots rank low on the glycaemic index, which means it has a slow and steady effect on your blood sugar as your body processes it. Foods with a low glycaemic index keep you full for longer.
6) Bone Health
The high vitamin A content in carrots has been linked to influencing bone cell metabolism. The beta-carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A, is a strong antioxidant that is associated with overall bone health.
