Content
- Description
- On the composition and caloric content of the product
- Properties
- The benefits of fresh carrots
- Interesting recipes
- What is the harm to health and to whom?
- Product selection
- Storage methods
- Rules of use
Bright carrots are familiar to both adults and children in many countries – without it, fragrant pilaf and stew will not turn out, do not make sauerkraut and do not cook many first courses and juicy salads. But what effect does this vegetable have on the human body? Does he only benefit or may cause harm?
Description
This genus of plant belongs to the type of umbrella, and combines with each other a fairly large category of vegetables. The carrot is a biennial plant; in the first year a juicy and bright long root vegetable ripens; in the second year, if the vegetable is not removed from the ground, seeds will appear.
The composition of red carrots is lycopene, which paints other vegetables and fruits in red. Many manufacturers are trying to surprise their customers, and tend to grow carrots of unusual color. So you can meet and green carrots, and even with a purple color.
Initially, the root vegetable had a dark color, and the vegetable was used only for medicinal purposes. But a little later, around the 18th century in France, breeders managed to grow a yellow and orange type of carrot, which immediately gained immense popularity among gourmets.
On the composition and caloric content of the product
Carrots are very rich in beta-carotene, and this is pure vitamin A, which gives vegetables and fruits a bright orange color. And the vitamin itself strengthens and has a beneficial effect on vision, protects and stimulates the natural immunity of a person, and is an excellent protective factor against solar radiation.
But the vegetable is not only rich in beta-carotene, it has a lot of calcium, chlorine, magnesium and iron, potassium and selenium, and sodium. Carrots have a high content of antioxidants, dietary fiber (fiber) and vitamins of group B, C, E.
With all this variety of vitamins, the calorie content of the carrot is small, 100 grams. contains only about 40 calories . That is why it is so loved by those who adhere to a variety of diets.
Properties
- A high content of antioxidants will help prevent cancer and various cancers.
- The vegetable is also important for men, it increases the potency and restores physical strength after exhausting physical training.
- Carrots improve the condition and well-being in people with diabetes .
- It has a beneficial effect on the vessels and the heart system .
- The huge content of fiber helps to cope with constipation and other digestive problems, gently relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Read: How to treat hemorrhoids in men?
- Improves the work of the stomach and intestines , which is useful for weight loss and body shaping.
- Rejuvenates and smoothes the skin, relieves irritation and redness when applied externally.
The benefits of fresh carrots
- For the kidneys and liver , fresh juice is indicated as a prophylaxis for gallstone disease, while beneficial substances purify cells from accumulated harmful substances.
- Immunity – to strengthen enough one medium carrot per day, for example, in a rubbed form with homemade fat sour cream. The body will be protected and increase resistance to various infections.
Benefits for men
Root crop has a beneficial effect on male potency and the general condition of the prostate gland. Its use in raw or stewed form is an excellent prevention of urinogenital diseases.
Carrot replenishes the supply of potassium in the body of a man, and the juice is very useful as a refreshing drink after physical training – after all, freshly squeezed juice will result in tired muscles, relieve pain syndrome and relieve fatigue.
Boiled carrots benefit and harm
The benefits of boiled root vegetables is that the content of antioxidants in the product increases by 34-36%. Due to this, our body is reliably protected from the occurrence of tumors.
With regard to harm, that is, he – boiled carrots can not be people with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and a stomach ulcer. An overdose of vitamin A in the body leads to drowsiness and headaches.
The benefits and dangers of raw carrots
Of course, the benefits of raw carrots are obvious – without heat treatment, all useful vitamins are preserved in it. And the content of dietary fiber helps to cope with problems with digestion.
And what is its harm? In the first rows one can note individual intolerance of the product, and possible allergic reactions when it is used. Even when overused, the liver suffers from a large amount of carotene in the blood.
Korean carrot
Korean carrot salad is very high in calories, its value is 125 calories per 100 grams. dishes, so do not abuse the sharp and fragrant delicacy. In addition, nutritional supplements in the marinade purchased strengthen appetite, which is not good for those who want to lose weight.
Benefit is based on the properties of the root, and thanks to the hot oil marinade, the content of vitamin A in the product is multiplied.
Carrots with sour cream
If the salad is flavored with fresh sour cream, then the body will have double benefit – from good absorption of vitamin A and lactic acid bacteria useful for the intestines.
Carrots with honey
If you add ginger and a teaspoon of lemon juice to a salad with a carrot, which is filled with liquid honey , this dish will help you effectively fight infections during the spread of viruses and flu.
Carrot juice
Freshly squeezed carrot juice perfectly reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood and increases blood formation. It is recommended to use carrot juice after taking a course of antibiotics, as the drink helps reduce their toxic effects on the body.
But if you have low acidity or diabetes, the juice from fresh root vegetables should be used with great care and in small portions, otherwise you can cause complications of the disease.
Juice with carrots and beets
Adding beets to a drink helps control blood pressure in the body.
But do not be thoughtlessly consume this drink in large doses (more than 1 cup per day), trying to get the maximum of vitamins – the body can be seriously damaged, since the pressure can not only decrease or increase, but make sudden jumps, which is dangerous even for a healthy person .
Grated carrot and its benefits
If you make a bright and juicy salad of green apples and carrots, you can improve the immunity in the period of infectious diseases, besides, the dish is low-calorie, but it also perfectly nourishes. Salad is seasoned with vegetable oil, and to make the taste brighter, you can add honey, parsley and lemon juice to the dressing.
Carrots with garlic
Garlic helps fight colds, destroying bacteria and viruses.
However, if there are problems with the disease of the gastrointestinal tract, the use of these products in raw form must be treated very carefully – if you overdo it with the number of servings, then you can get complications of the disease.
Stewed carrots
If you extinguish fresh root vegetables with a small addition of spices, seasonings and aromatic herbs, you will get a great side dish to any meat or fish dishes. Moreover, due to the heat treatment in the product, the content of antioxidants increases, which is important for beauty and health.
Slimming carrots
On the basis of a single product – carrots, you can lose weight remarkably if you cook salads and first courses from it, simmer and bake. It is allowed to add greens, spices and seasonings, sunflower oil and dairy products. The result will be amazing.
But there are limitations – you can not “sit” on a carrot diet for more than 7-10 days, you need to leave it smoothly, using buckwheat and rice porridge, low-fat yogurt and other fruits and vegetables with the addition of lean meat and seafood. If there are problems with the digestive tract, then such a diet is contraindicated.
The benefits of carrot tops
Fresh carrot shoots contain a lot of mineral salts and volatile aromatic substances. That is why it is dried and canned, added to food to impart a special flavor. One small sprig fresh can cover the daily rate of selenium for an adult.
Ways to use fresh carrots
Both tops and roots of a plant can be used as a spice or as an independent ingredient in cooking. Root vegetables are used to make salads, first and second dishes and even desserts.
Nutritious and moisturizing masks can be prepared on the basis of chopped carrots or juice, and tops extracts are widely used in pharmacology.
Interesting recipes
Delicate and fragrant carrot soup with garlic
For cooking you will need:
- 650 gr. carrots;
- 5-6 cloves of garlic;
- 2-3 bulbs;
- 1 liter of chicken or vegetable broth;
- A large bunch of cilantro and parsley;
- Salt, a pinch of red pepper;
- Some vegetable oil.
Cooking soup :
Pour the sunflower oil into the pot where the soup will stew. Add finely chopped onion and garlic. Fry on high heat until rosy color.
Peel carrots, cut into small cubes or quarters into rings. Fry a little in butter and add chicken broth.
Salt to taste, add hot peppers and chopped fresh herbs. Carrots should be soft, but not boiled soft. For satiety you can add a handful of rice (steamed), or any cereal to taste.
Carrot cheese patties
Delicate vegetable cutlets with cheese will be a great garnish for a salad or meat dish.
For cooking you will need:
- 900 gr. carrots;
- 1-2 eggs;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of semolina;
- 1 spoon of sugar;
- A glass of skimmed milk;
- Breadcrumbs;
- Hard cheese (any) – 125 gr .;
- Oil for frying.
How to cook juicy carrot patties with cheese?
Rinse carrots, peel and rub half on a coarse grater, remaining grate on a grater with small holes. Add milk and stew in a skillet for 15-20 minutes, with the addition of sugar and semolina. After extinguishing you should get a gentle homogeneous mass.
Carrots can be baked in the peel in the oven, boil for a couple or cook in uniform. Then it will be enough to grind the vegetable into mashed potatoes, add cheese, spices and eggs to make a uniform “cutlet” mass.
After the carrot mass is ready and it becomes soft, it must be cooled. Add slightly beaten eggs, salt and spices to taste, and grated cheese on a medium grater. Stir, form patties, can be round or oblong shape – a matter of taste.
It remains only to roll the prepared patties in homemade croutons, and fry in a hot frying pan in butter until crisp. The pan can be covered with a lid for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese inside.
Carrot garnish
You will need:
- 650 gr. carrots;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of liquid honey;
- 50 ml. Of plant oil;
- 2 pinches of salt;
- Pinch of cumin;
- Nutmeg – on the tip of a knife.
Cooking :
Peel and chop the carrots and transfer them to a bowl. Grease a deep pan with vegetable oil, and add the remaining butter with liquid honey to a bowl of carrots.
If there is a mortar, then crush the cumin seeds in it, in its absence, you can do this: wrap the seeds in foil and with the effort roll it over with a usual rolling pin or bottle.
Add the spice with salt and nutmeg to the carrot and mix well.
Put the prepared carrots in a baking sheet and put in an oven preheated to 180 ° C for 40 minutes. To get a ruddy crust 5-7 minutes before readiness, you can turn on the grill function in the oven.
Spicy carrot salad with cheese
You will need:
- Carrots – 2 pcs .;
- Processed sausage cheese – 100g.
- Mayonnaise – 75 g .;
- A pinch of salt and pepper;
- 2 sprigs of parsley.
Cooking :
Grate cheese and carrots. Salad will look spectacular if you use a grater for cooking carrots in Korean for shredding.
Fold carrots with cheese in a salad bowl, add chopped herbs and spices and season with mayonnaise. Before serving, the salad should be slightly cooled.
What is the harm to health and to whom?
People with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should limit the use of the product so as not to cause exacerbation of the disease.
Video about the benefits of carrots:
Product selection
You should choose only the fruits that do not have damage and cracks on the surface of the root of bright color.
The shape of the vegetable is also important – the carrot should be of medium size with a thin, almost sharp tip.
The most delicious and juicy carrot – when it is young and recently dug out of the ground, with a small presence of earth or sand. If carrots are washed in production, it will not be stored for a long time (the protective layer is washed off).
If the vegetable is soft and flabby – the purchase should be abandoned.
Well, if you manage to get carrots with tops – its fresh state will indicate to you when the carrots are removed from the ground.
Storage methods
4 tips for proper storage not only of carrots, but of all vegetables:
– The main thing that the vegetable is not withered;
– Not sprouted;
– Not rotted and not covered with mold;
– Has not lost its useful and nutritious, taste.
To keep the root vegetable as long as possible, it is not recommended to wash it for storage. Dry thoroughly from damp ground and store in a container or wooden box with holes for ventilation. With this method of storage in a dark and cool place intact fruits of carrots can lie until spring.
Rules of use
To fill the necessary daily intake of vitamin A for an adult will be enough 50 grams. fresh carrots per day. And this is about 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable salad or a portion of vegetable stew.
If you exceed this volume of the product, or consume carrots in large quantities, then after a while you may be surprised to see that your skin will begin to acquire a yellow tint. This symptom suggests that the liver simply does not cope with beta-carotene entering the body. It is enough to take a short break so that everything returns to normal.
Remember that a fresh carrot is considered not only one of the most accessible frequent products on our table, but also very useful for the body. The product has practically no contraindications for use, is very tasty and will greatly help to diversify the daily menu.