Origin takes carrots back to the ancient land of Afghanistan. For all sweet lovers, carrots are related to, none other than, the famous and tasty ‘gajar ka halwa’ or carrot cake (a sweet dish made from these root vegetables) that combines flavour and health benefits into one. It is not just in India, this biennial plant with the biological name of Daucus carota, has been known for its medicinal purposes but also in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. In modern times, carrots are strongly recommended by physicians to be included in the daily diet as it is a reservoir of nutrients and minerals that can perform wonders on your body. Read further to know about the health benefits, nutritional value, how to pick and store carrots.
History
According to historians, this root vegetable is has its origin in ancient Afghanistan about 5000 years ago. It was for the aromatic leaves and seeds, and not for the roots, that carrots were cultivated. It was only later that a yellow coloured variety appeared, which was cultivated and is now, the carrot we eat today. Following this, the cultivation of carrots spread across the Middle East and through the Mediterranean region, where they were utilized by the ancient Greeks and Romans for their herbal properties. A 4000 year old drawing in an Egyptian temple exhibits a plant that some historians believed to represent a large carrot. Even the archeologically important Pharaoh scripts contained information about treatment of diseases with carrots and its seeds. However, carrots did not become popular in Europe until the Renaissance. It was in the beginning of 17th century that agriculturists started cultivating different varieties of carrots. Soon after, these rooted vegetables were introduced in North American colonies. Today, the United States, France, England, Poland, China and Japan are among the largest producers of carrots.
Health Benefits of Gajar (Carrots)
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According to recent research, falcarinol, a compound present in carrots, is largely responsible for the reduced risk of breast, lung and colon cancer.
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The beta-carotene found abundantly in carrots is further converted into vitamin A in the liver, which is known to decrease incidence of night blindness and sharpen the vision. In addition, a survey conducted showed that people who had greater proportions of beta-carotene in the body were at a 40% lower risk of macular degeneration and senile cataracts.
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Carrots contain so much beta-carotene that it acts as an antioxidant to fight against cell damage and thus slowing down the process of ageing.
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A diet high in carotenoids also reduces cholesterol levels in the body, further eliminating the risk of heart diseases. Also, people who ate a single carrot a month were much more likely to suffer from a stroke than people who ate more than six carrots a week.
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Carrots have strong cleansing properties that are effective in detoxifying the liver. Other nutrients found in carrots effectively nourish the skin and prevent any blemishes.
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Carrots act as natural abrasives and help in removing dirt from the teeth and they also, stimulate the gums. Moreover, minerals present in carrots kills germs in the mouth and avoid cases of tooth decay and damage.
Nutritional Value & Calories In Carrot
Amount: 1 Carrot
Total Weight: 36 gm
Nutrients
|
Amount
|
Basic Components
|
|
Proteins
|
279 mg |
Water |
31.5
|
Ash
|
0.23
|
|
|
Calories
|
|
Total Calories |
13
|
Calories From Fats |
0.55
|
Calories From Carbohydrates |
12
|
Calories From Proteins |
0.77
|
|
|
Carbohydrates
|
|
Total Carbohydrates |
3.2 g |
Dietary Fiber |
1 g |
Sugar
|
1.7 g |
Sucrose
|
1.1 g |
Glucose
|
289 mg |
Fructose
|
275 mg |
Starch
|
254 mg |
|
|
Fats & Fatty Acids
|
|
Total Fat |
66 mg |
Saturated Fat |
11 mg |
Monosaturated Fat |
3.7 mg |
Polysaturated Fat |
32 mg |
Omega-3 Fatty Acids |
1.8 mg |
Omega-6 Fatty Acids |
31 mg |
|
|
Vitamins
|
|
Vitamin A |
5413 IU |
Vitamin C |
1.5 mg |
Vitamin E |
234 mcg |
Vitamin K |
4 mcg |
Thiamin
|
17 mcg |
Riboflavin
|
17 mcg |
Niacin
|
273 mcg |
Folate
|
8.2 mcg |
Panto Acid |
120 mcg |
Vitamin B6 |
43 mcg |
|
|
Minerals
|
|
Calcium
|
12 mg |
Iron
|
211 mcg |
Magnesium
|
3.9 mg |
Sodium
|
26 mg |
Potassium
|
99 mg |
Phosphorus
|
11 mg |
Zinc
|
73 mcg |
Copper
|
26 mcg |
Manganese
|
52 mcg |
Selenium
|
0.18 mcg |
Fluoride
|
1.1 mcg |
How many calories in Carrot (per 100 gm)
Carrot has about 35 calories per 100 gm of weight.
How to Buy Carrots
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Opt for carrots that are firm, smooth, straight and brightly coloured. A deeper orange in carrots mean greater levels of beta-carotene present in it.
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Look out for the green leaves attached to carrots. They must be fresh, feathery, bright green and not wilted or perforated.
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Try to pick slimmer carrots as they are sweeter to taste. Also, make sure that there are minimum blemishes or cracks on the vegetable. Wilted greens and growth of thin hair-like roots indicate mature carrots that are not advisable.
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Finally, if you intend to store your carrots for future consumption then buy the ones with a large diameter at the tip as these can be stored for a longer period of time.
Carrot Storage Tips
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If stored properly, carrots will have a shelf life greater than other vegetables. It can be kept fresh if the green tops are removed before storage as these leaves absorb moisture from the carrot itself. Place these carrots inside a plastic bag and refrigerate.
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The carrots can be preserved for a period of two weeks. But, make sure to keep them away from rest of the fruits and vegetables as some of them are known to produce ethylene gas.
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Carrots can also be stored for a period of six months, if stored in a freezer. For this, first blanch the carrots for 2-3 minutes before putting them in a freezer. Grated carrots are ideal as they minimize loss of vitamins and minerals from the surface.