Carrots, Carotenoids and Health
There are more than 600 known carotenoids. Carotenoids are naturally occurring plant pigments that provide the orange and yellow colors we see in plants and their produce. The vibrant orange color of carrot is provided by its high carotenoid content, in fact carrots are the biggest known source of carotenoids. Of the 600 known carotenoids, about 50 of them can also be converted to vitamin A by the liver.
The most famous of these carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is also the most abundant carotenoid found in carrots. Beta-carotene is also the most common carotenoid that is turned into vitamin A. As vitamin A is only found in animal products, particularly dairy, carotenoids can be an essential source of vitamin A for vegans.
More than just a plant coloring pigment or chemical that can become vitamin A, carotenoids are also potent antioxidants. They help protect us from the damaging effects of oxidative stress, a condition in which rogue oxygen molecules get the better of us and damage healthy cells. Such damage can lead to cancers, premature aging and cardiovascular diseases.
Carotenoids further protect the eyes in their function as antioxidants. UV light is a source of harmful oxidants that attack healthy eye cells. Carotenoids are found in dense concentrations in the eye where they disarm these oxidants. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are all linked to oxidant based damage.
Carotenoids are also linked to protection from heart disease. Many studies have shown that a daily intake of carrots or other foods high in carotenes can reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack by more than half. Reduction in the development of other heart related problems like high cholesterol, is also associated with carotene intake.
An abundance of carotenoids in the diet are also associated with reduced risk of developing cancers. A vast amount of research suggests that eating just one carrot a day can cut the likelihood of developing lung cancer in half. Research also provides evidence that a high consumption of carotenoids reduces the risk of developing bladder, colon, esophagus and prostate cancers by up to 50%.
Carotenoid intake may also be beneficial for diabetics. One study found that eating carotenoid rich foods, such as carrots, helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels. It is not yet understood how carotenoids provide this observed benefit, but they certainly appear to make a difference.
Juicing fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to get a rich intake of carotenoids in your diet. Juicing also makes the carotenoids easily available for digestion, increasing the amount absorbed into the blood stream. A daily carrot juice will go a long way in helping you stay healthy! - 17274
The most famous of these carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is also the most abundant carotenoid found in carrots. Beta-carotene is also the most common carotenoid that is turned into vitamin A. As vitamin A is only found in animal products, particularly dairy, carotenoids can be an essential source of vitamin A for vegans.
More than just a plant coloring pigment or chemical that can become vitamin A, carotenoids are also potent antioxidants. They help protect us from the damaging effects of oxidative stress, a condition in which rogue oxygen molecules get the better of us and damage healthy cells. Such damage can lead to cancers, premature aging and cardiovascular diseases.
Carotenoids further protect the eyes in their function as antioxidants. UV light is a source of harmful oxidants that attack healthy eye cells. Carotenoids are found in dense concentrations in the eye where they disarm these oxidants. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are all linked to oxidant based damage.
Carotenoids are also linked to protection from heart disease. Many studies have shown that a daily intake of carrots or other foods high in carotenes can reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack by more than half. Reduction in the development of other heart related problems like high cholesterol, is also associated with carotene intake.
An abundance of carotenoids in the diet are also associated with reduced risk of developing cancers. A vast amount of research suggests that eating just one carrot a day can cut the likelihood of developing lung cancer in half. Research also provides evidence that a high consumption of carotenoids reduces the risk of developing bladder, colon, esophagus and prostate cancers by up to 50%.
Carotenoid intake may also be beneficial for diabetics. One study found that eating carotenoid rich foods, such as carrots, helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels. It is not yet understood how carotenoids provide this observed benefit, but they certainly appear to make a difference.
Juicing fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to get a rich intake of carotenoids in your diet. Juicing also makes the carotenoids easily available for digestion, increasing the amount absorbed into the blood stream. A daily carrot juice will go a long way in helping you stay healthy! - 17274
About the Author:
Hi my name is Jason Jones. I have a passion for healthy eating and green living. I advocate healthy eating as an essential part of our well being spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Visit my extensive juicing blog - juice recipes
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