Concept in Definition ABC

The carrots They are vegetables conical in shape and orange color widely used in everyday cooking. They can be consumed both cooked and raw, and they are even an important ingredient in a large number of juice or smoothie-type preparations.

They constitute the root of the plant Daucus carota, originally from Asia, from where it spread to the other continents, currently being its main producer China, followed by the United States and Russia.

Carrots are rich in beta carotene

Carrots are widely known for their effects on vision, especially in improving vision ability nocturnal, effect due to its high concentrations of beta-carotenes, substances that are transformed by the body into Vitamin A. Another beneficial effect of carrots on eye health is their ability to prevent disorders degenerative retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, a relatively common cause of blindness in the Elderly.

These beta-carotenes also confer antioxidant effects, which contribute to the improvement of the skin, cardiovascular protection and

quality of the bones, also playing an important role in strengthening the immune system which increases the endurance of the body against infectious diseases and disorders such as cancer.

Carrots are also capable of stimulating production of melanin by the skin cells, this helps protect it from ultraviolet radiation from the sun while accelerating the tan. This is why it is incorporated into the manufacturing of various sunscreens and bronzers.

Another common use of carrots is as part of antidiarrheal diets, as it has an effect astringent in the intestine that helps reduce the loss of Water by stool thus preventing dehydration. In diarrheic cases it is recommended as an ingredient in chicken soups, accompanying other antidiarrheal vegetables such as celery and green banana.

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 dishes, stews, creams and soups.

It can also be used raw grated in salads, sautéed lightly cooked in Asian food preparations or it can even be combined with orange and beets, as well as other vegetables in preparations such as juices (especially celery, spinach and parsley. Desserts such as carrot cake and carrot Christmas cake are also very popular.

Photos: iStock - Claudiad / Neustockimages

Carrot Themes