5 Health Benefits of Carrots

Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the United States in 2010. One of the health benefits of carrots is that they can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. A ten-year study of 20,000 men and women conducted in the Netherlands found that people who ate half a cup of the root vegetable daily were significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Cancer Prevention
Cancer prevention may be one of the health benefits of carrots for women and men. In addition to containing antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers, carrots produce a natural pesticide called falcarinol, which protects the root vegetables from fungal diseases. Researchers believe that this substance has anticancer properties. Carrots also contain beta-carotene. A study found that people who consumed beta-carotene on a regular basis had a reduced risk of developing colon cancer. Another study found that smokers who didn’t eat carrots were three times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who ate them more than once a week.

Flush Out Toxins
Another of the purportedhealth benefit of carrots is that they may help flush toxins out of the body. It’s believed carrots contain properties that help reduce fat and bile in the liver—the removal of these substances leads to a better functioning liver and improved overall health. Combining carrots with leafy greens such as arugula or spinach can take great strides towards improving your overall liver function.

Lots of Fiber
One medium carrot contains about .06 ounces of fiber. Fiber is important for a number of reasons. It can help lower blood pressure by reducing the amount of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from the blood, and it aids in cleaning the gastrointestinal tract by picking up debris on its way out of the body. Fiber slows the digestion of food, helping you feel fuller for longer and preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. However, you can only obtain these health benefits of baby carrots and the full-sized version of this root vegetable when you eat them raw or lightly cooked. Juicing carrots removes the beneficial fiber.

Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer
The health benefits of carrots for men include reducing the risk of prostate cancer. A study conducted at the University of York found vitamin A and retinoic acid may reduce cancer’s ability to invade the tissues that surround them. Another study done at the Harvard School of Public Health found that men who had diets rich in beta-carotene may have a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.