Carrots… let’s not lose sight of them

Carrots are good for your eyesight

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, elements that constitute an excellent source of vitamins capable of contributing to eye health and reducing the risk of cataracts. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and rhodopsin, both present in abundant quantities.

Carrots are the roots of Daucus carota, a species belonging to the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) family. They are cultivated all over the world, and their shape and color vary depending on their origin: Asian carrots are generally long, conical, and saffron-colored, while European carrots are conical, have more rounded ends, and a bright orange color.

Carrots… let’s not lose sight of them

The beauty and the carrot

Carrots are widely used in cosmetics because they are antioxidant-rich and full of beta-carotene, which stimulates tanning, prevents the formation of wrinkles, and treats dry skin and its impurities. Its pulp is an excellent anti-inflammatory, suitable for treating wounds, skin rashes, and cracked skin. It is highly recommended for treating lung conditions and dermatoses; as a gastroprotective agent for stomach walls, it is an excellent anti-ulcer remedy.

Among its many other healing properties, carrots help prevent skin aging, facilitate milk secretion in nursing mothers, tone the liver, and regulate cholesterol. Other recognized benefits include promoting diuresis, toning the kidneys, increasing hemoglobin levels, and regulating intestinal functions. Finally, carrots support eyesight and provide relief for tired and reddened eyes.

Carrots all year round

Enjoyed raw or cooked, eaten alone as a snack, or used to add color and flavor to the most delicious salads, carrots are among the most commonly used vegetables in the kitchen, also found among seasonal vegetables in September. The fact that they are widespread and appreciated, even by children, is a good thing, considering the excellent properties of carrots.

Eating raw carrots

As a mid-morning or afternoon snack (as they are or in a veggie dip), to rehydrate the body away from meals and benefit from their high satiating power, especially during those moments of the day when hunger pangs may occur, which inevitably lead to eating more or consuming the wrong foods. Among its many properties, the carrot also helps alleviate the feeling of hunger, thanks to its fiber content, which is why this vegetable should not be excluded from a dietary regimen. Raw carrots also promote the absorption of vitamin C, as this vitamin deteriorates with the heat of cooking.

Carote non perdiamole di vista

Carrots in the kitchen

Carrots can be cooked in various ways, but they can also be used raw in salads or grated and soaked with lemon juice, which contrasts with the sweetness of the carrot with its acidity. They can also be steamed.

A special triptych

Carrots are very often used to accompany the sautéed celery and onions. Moreover, carrots are suitable for sweet preparations, such as the famous carrot cakes, which are sometimes eaten together with almonds.

Infinite uses of carrots

Carrots can be cooked in various ways, but they can also be used raw in salads or grated and soaked with lemon juice, which contrasts with the sweetness of the carrot with its acidity. They can also be steamed. They are sometimes used to accompany the sauté with celery and onions. Moreover, carrots are suitable for sweet preparations, such as the famous carrot cakes, which are sometimes eaten together with almonds.