One of the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables worldwide is the carrot, scientifically known as Daucus . Ayurvedic medicine uses carrots because they have various therapeutic benefits. Jaundice is frequently treated with carrots. Its juice has been discovered to be efficient for the removal of uric acid because it has diuretic and nitrogen-balancing characteristics. There are numerous cultivars, including white, orange, red, and purple varieties. The astonishing variety of phytochemicals found in carrots includes carotenoids, anthocyanins, and other phenolic compounds.
How to grow carrots
◑ Till the ground to a depth of 10 inches to prepare the area. Verify that there are no clumps of soil, stones, or even rocks. If your soil isn’t loose and airy, add compost and 6 inches of sandy topsoil. To be safe, we advise digging twice.
◑ Instead of transplanting, we advise directly putting seeds in the garden (or other location where they will be grown). The roots of carrots don’t want to be disturbed.
◑ Rows should be spaced a foot apart and 1/4 inch deep.
◑ Water the soil shallowly and frequently to keep it moist. The soil must not harden into a crust on top in order for small carrot seeds to germinate. To avoid this, cover the soil with a layer of compost, vermiculite, or fine sand. (If you stick your finger in the ground, it should be damp to the middle knuckle but not wet.)
◑ It can take a while for carrot seeds to sprout. Do not become alarmed if your carrots do not develop immediately away; they will appear in 14 to 21 days.
◑ By planting radishes alongside carrots, you can reduce the crusting issue and keep track of where the carrot seeds were sown. Plant seeds for quick-growing radish between rows of carrots. The radishes will develop swiftly, and they can be harvested by the time the carrots actually begin to develop.
◑ Carrots should be planted every 4 weeks till mid-summer for a continuous crop.
Vitamin and Minerals
Vitamins A (from beta carotene), K1 (phylloquinone), B6, biotin, potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals are all abundant in carrots.
Vitamin A: Beta carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A, is abundant in carrots. This nutrient supports healthy vision and is crucial for immune system, growth, and development. You can get up to 73% of your daily vitamin A needs from a half-cup.
Biotin: Biotin, a B vitamin formerly known as vitamin H, is crucial for the metabolism of fats and proteins.
Vitamin K1: Vitamin K1, also called phylloquinone, is crucial for blood clotting and may improve bone health. Up to 9% of your daily value for vitamin K can be found in just a half-cup.
Potassium: Potassium is a crucial nutrient for maintaining healthy blood pressure. You can get up to 8% of your daily fiber and potassium needs from a half-cup.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is a family of related vitamins that helps the body turn food into energy.
5 perks of eating carrots regularly for health benefit
Removes excessive estrogen
Special indigestible fibers found in carrots help the body detoxify excess estrogen. It has been found that the reabsorption of estrogens from the intestine is blocked by raw carrots, which aids the liver in better regulating metabolism.
Slimming down
Carrots, a low-calorie food, can make you feel more satisfied and help you eat fewer calories at subsequent meals. They might therefore be a helpful addition to a diet that helps you lose weight.
Eye wellness
Carrots and other foods high in vitamin A or carotenoids can help prevent night blindness, which is more common in people with low vitamin A levels. Carotenoids may also lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Lower the risk of cancer
It has been demonstrated that antioxidants help your body fight off dangerous free radicals, which may reduce your risk of developing cancer. Carotenoids and anthocyanins are the two main categories of antioxidants found in carrots. While anthocyanins are in charge of the red and purple coloring of carrots, carotenoids are what give them their orange and yellow hues.
Boost Immune System
Carrots include vitamin C, which helps your body create antibodies to protect your immune system. Additionally, vitamin C helps your body absorb and utilize iron while warding off infections.
Eating carrots is associated with enhanced eye health, a decreased risk of cancer and heart disease, and both. This vegetable may also be an important part of a diet that helps people lose weight.
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Writer:-
Jannatul Kawser Riktha
Intern, Content Writing Department
Youth School for Social Entrepreneurs