Sweet and crunchy, carrots are also called as ‘Gajar‘ in Hindi, ‘Gajjara gadda‘ in Telugu, ‘Mangal Mullangi‘ in Tamil, ‘Karat‘ in Malayalam, ‘Gajjari‘ in Kannada, ‘Gazar‘ in Marathi, ‘Gajar‘ in Punjabi and ‘Gujar/Gajor‘ in Bengali. Carrots have been an important part of vegetarian diets. Who doesn’t love munching on fresh and sweet carrots?
Carrots are basically root vegetables belonging to the Apeaceae or Umbelliferrous family, which also includes parsley, parsnip, dill, cumin, etc. A carrot plant has green leaves and a long, slender, orange root that is edible. Baby carrots are tender but they also have less flavor because they are yet to mature.
These vegetables are believed to have originated about 5000 years ago. In fact, you will be surprised to know that carrots used to be red, black, yellow, white, and mostly purple in colour, but not orange. They were first cultivated in Afghanistan, and had purple exteriors with yellow flesh. Bright orange carrots were developed by the Dutch in the middle ages and today, they are the most common ones.
Besides their delicious flavor, carrots contain high amounts of beta-carotene and other health-benefitting compounds such as vitamin A, minerals and antioxidants. Carrots offer several health benefits and are particularly beneficial for organs like the eyes, skin, digestive system and teeth. No doubt, they are a favorite of Bugs Bunny and account for his swiftness, energy and intelligence.
Carrots are often used in juice therapy for the treatment of certain diseases. In fact, carrots were initially grown as medicine for treating a variety of ailments. This vegetable can be eaten both in its raw and cooked forms. It serves as a fat substitute when used as a thickener in soups, sauces, casseroles and quick breads. A steaming bowl of carrot soup is a great way to boost your nutrition in winter.
This crunchy power food is low in calories and contains no fat. However, it can provide you with high doses of vitamin A and other antioxidants. Here are the benefits of eating carrot – for skin, hair and health.
The benefits of carrot for the skin are due to the abundant amounts of Vitamin A and other antioxidants, which protect against various skin problems and help in maintaining skin health.
The benefits of eating carrots for the skin are as follows:
The consumption of carrots keeps your skin healthy and vibrant as they are loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants. Carrots can also be used to prepare an inexpensive and convenient face mask. All you need to do is to mix grated carrot with some honey and apply it as a face mask to get glowing skin.
Drinking carrot juice is effective in getting rid of blemishes and scars. You can also apply carrot pulp on your skin to clear the blemishes.
Carrots also contain Vitamin C that aids the collagen production in the body. Collagen is a type of protein that is vital for the maintenance of the skin elasticity. It helps prevent wrinkles and locks the process of aging. Vitamin A, being an antioxidant, also attacks the free radicals to prevent the signs of aging like wrinkles, pigmentation and an uneven skin tone.
Beta-carotene, found in carrots, is a skin-friendly nutrient that is converted to vitamin A inside the body. It helps in repairing the skin tissues and provides protection against the sun’s harsh rays. The antioxidants and carotenoids protect and condition the skin to increase its immunity against the sun and heal sunburns. In fact, the consumption of carrot juice in summer acts as a natural sun block.
The deficiency of potassium can lead to a dry skin. Carrots are rich in potassium. Hence, drinking carrot juice can prevent this problem and keep your skin hydrated.
Carrots are effective in the prevention and cure of various skin ailments. The antioxidants in this vegetable can treat skin conditions like pimples and acne, rashes, dermatitis and other skin problems caused due to Vitamin A deficiency. However, keep in mind not to consume carrots in excess as they can cause your skin to temporarily turn yellowish-orange in color.
Carrots possess great healing qualities. Raw or grated carrots can be applied to wounds, cuts, and inflammation for quick healing. Their anti-inflammatory properties help to revitalize and tone the skin.
Wondering about how to use a carrot on the face? Here are a few carrot facial masks for you to check out.
Things you will need:
Preparation And Usage: