Read about the nutrition facts, health benefits, nutritional value and calories found in Carrot

Carrot Nutrition

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)

  • According to recent research, falcarinol, a compound present in carrots, is largely responsible for the reduced risk of breast, lung and colon cancer.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Look out for the green leaves attached to carrots. They must be fresh, feathery, bright green and not wilted or perforated.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

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