Carrots are nutrient-dense root vegetables with numerous health-promoting effects. Aside from providing tons of health benefits, these crunchy, sweet, and tasty roots are probably one of the yummiest veggies, found all around the world.
These roots come in different pigments ranging from red, orange, to yellow and can be consumed in both cooked and raw forms. However, chewing carrots are not the only way to savor these flavorful roots. Drinking carrot juice is equally significant and beneficial, especially on empty stomach, since carrots are believed to contain anti-cancerous compounds and may also promote weight loss.
Carrot juice is a great drink to start your day with. It can also be used as a base for smoothies. Carrots are full of vitamin A, which is important for eye health and immune system function.
It is not required to buy an expensive juicer machine to make carrot juice. You can use a budget juicer and still enjoy the benefits of this drink.
The benefits of drinking carrot juice to one’s health is also supported by several scientific evidence. For instance, oral intake of carrots daily prevents different types of skin diseases and may enhance your eyesight. We will cover these benefits of carrots in more detail below.
What nutrients are carrots high in?
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins and include various nutritions that can provide an instant boost to your body.
The following list is nutrition info for 1 medium size carrot (61g):
- Calories – 25
- Fat – 0g
- Carbohydrates – 6g
- Sugars – 2.9g
- Fiber – 1.7g
- Proteins – 0.6g
Vitamins & Minerals:
- Vitamin A – Carrots are a rich source of beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in our body. this nutrition is essential for the growth and the development of our body.
- Biotin – It is a B vitamin, previously known as vitamin H or B7. Biotin plays an essential part in fat and protein metabolism.
- Vitamin K1 – In other words, known as phyllo Quinone, Vitamin K1 is important for blood coagulation and can hype bone condition.
- Vitamin B6 – It is a group of vitamins, required in the conversion of food into energy.
- Potassium – An important mineral, which is essential to keep our blood pressure in control.
What makes carrot juice healthy?
Alongside all these nutrients and vitamins carrot juice also provides the carotenoid pigments, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which act as antioxidants in your body. These antioxidants help your body to fight against unstable molecules called free radicals.
The reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation is also associated with the drinking of carrot juice. In fact, according to a survey people who consumed carrots daily tend to have lower chances of suffering heart diseases. As we have already discussed in the Nutritional Profile, a carrot is a rich source of beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A well-known for its health benefits.
Raw carrots accommodate fiber that can lower plasma glucose levels in your blood and might promote weight loss as well. However, when you grind the juice with the best juicers, out of carrot these fibers are also crushed into smaller units, which may be not as effective as a raw carrot.
Some juicers like the best cold press juicers or masticating juicers can help you take out the actual nutrients from the carrots. This will give you the natural carrot juice with the most benefits.
Benefits of carrot juice on empty stomach –
1. Reduces the risk of cancer
Several meta-analysis pieces of research done on carrot juice consumption have indicated that carrots play an essential role against the development of different types of cancers such as colon, breast, prostate, etc.
Falcarinol, a poly-acetylene, in carrots acts as an antioxidant that kills cancerous cells in the tumor. Probably one of the major benefits of drinking carrot juice on empty stomach is that carrot is loaded with anti-carcinogenic properties that inhibit the growth of tumors.
2. Aid in weight loss
Are you worried about being overweight or fat? If so then incorporating carrot or carrot juice in your regular regimen is one of the easiest and yummiest ways to help you lose those extra sheds of fat accumulated in your body.
This is because carrots help you feel satiated for longer and also takes care of the hunger pangs. This can lead to lesser calorie intake and thus aid in weight loss. Beyond making you feel full for longer and sooner, carrots contain fiber which may help you to lose weight. This is also suggested by a survey, that says “Adequate intake of fiber is a great way to lose extra weight”.
3. May enhance your vision
Lack of vitamin A is one of the reasons behind poor eyesight. As a consequence, doctors often prescript vitamin A for those with bad eyesight, and carrots offer this nutrition in abundance. The carotenoids found in carrot juice is also believed to protect the retinal ganglion cells, thereby preventing several eye diseases.
Health experts connect the consumption of lutein, a powerful antioxidant, to a reduced risk of macular degeneration, and carrot juice also contains lutein.
However, it is also important to note that, according to few studies excess consumption of carrots specifically vitamin A and beta-carotene can lead to poor night vision. So limit your consumption of carrot juice from one or two carrots per day.
4. Prevent heart disease
Drinking carrot juice on empty stomach may reduce the risk of developing heart disease in several ways.
For instance, carrot juice is a rich source of minerals and potassium which plays an essential part in proper blood pressure regulation. An adequate potassium diet has been shown to prevent high blood pressure and heart stroke.
Carrot juice may also be beneficial to your heart due to the antioxidant compounds in carrots. Although this benefit of carrot juice has been established based on few studies, however, more researches are yet to be done.
5. Helps fighting diabetes
In an experiment on rats, it has been proven that regular consumption of raw carrots or drinking carrot juice helps in relieving symptoms of type-2 diabetes, especially carrot juice fermented with a particular bacterium (Lactobacillus Plantarum NCU110).
Again, more studies on humans are needed to further establish the anti-diabetes properties of carrot juice.
The fiber in raw carrot could also help to fight diabetes, as these fibers make you feel full sooner and longer thus discourages you to consume more or excess food, as a result, stops individuals from gaining extra weight.
6. May boost your immunity
One of the many benefits of carrot juice or carrots is that they are loaded with antioxidants which is extremely promising in boosting the immune system.
Both vitamin A and C in carrots acts as an antioxidant in your body and thus protect your immune cells from free radical damages.
In fact, according to one study, it has been found that inadequate intake of vitamin B6 inhibits the growth of immune cells called lymphocytes. And this vitamin B6 is found insufficient amount in carrot juice.
7. Improves your skin condition
If you want to cure skin ailments such as acne, dermatitis, pimples, rashes, etc. then carrot juice is probably the best fit to include in your regular diet. This is because carrots are loaded with anti-oxidants, which gives this veggie its quality to prevent skin ailments.
And if you are suffering from dryness of skin, then lack of potassium is perhaps the cause. However, drinking enough carrot juice may help you deal with it.
On top of that, the beta-carotene in carrot juice may protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays, as per one study.
8. Helps indigestion
One of the many benefits of drinking carrot juice on empty stomach is that it may enhance your digestive health.
This is because carrot contains alkaline compounds that may treat acid reflux and GERD. The alkaline compounds neutralize the excess stomach acid and thus give relief from gastric related problems.
Carrots contain an adequate amount of fiber as well, which is not only effective in aiding digestion, but also in clearing bowel movements effectively. Fiber is also beneficial in regulating blood sugar levels and aids in weight loss too.
9. Acts as an anti-aging compound
No one wants to look aged! Not only those wrinkles look bad but things get even worse when it brings down the fear of death – as we are heading toward the end of our life.
However, just including carrot juice in your regular diet may help delay the process of aging. This happens due to the beta-carotene in carrot that acts as an antioxidant and assists in reversing cell damage, which occurs due to the body’s regular metabolism.
Carrots are loaded with nutrients that act as a beauty booster for your skin, especially the vitamin A and E, which makes your skin healthy and shiny.
10. Maybe beneficial during pregnancy
As we already know carrots are a rich source of vitamin A, and this nutrient plays an essential role in the development and growth of our body. Therefore, it might also be beneficial during pregnancy, as it may help the young one inside the womb to get enough nutrition, during the early stages of development.
However, there is not enough research that confirms this benefit of drinking carrot juice, so it’s better to consult your doctor before consuming carrot juice during pregnancy.
What are the side effects of eating/drinking carrot?
You maybe be wondering whether or not if there are any side effects of consuming carrot juice every day. If so, then you are probably right, because adjacent to all those health-promoting effects carrots also have some drawbacks. However, those side effects will only happen if you consume a large amount of carrot or more than required. Here are some drawbacks of carrot that may occur:
- It can cause your skin to turn yellowish.
- It can grow pollen-related allergic reactions.
- People who have psoriasis should avoid high doses of vitamin A as it could lead to hypervitaminosis.
FAQs:
What is the best time to consume carrot juice?
Drinking carrot juice around 20 minutes before eating can help to stimulate digestion. You can also kick-start your day with a glass of carrot juice to maximize its benefits.
Is it best to drink carrot juice on empty stomach?
Yes, because on empty stomach your body is most likely to consume and utilize most of the nutrients from carrots.
Raw carrot VS carrot juice, which one is better?
Both are equally significant for health; however raw carrots contain more fiber than carrot juice, as in juice the fibers are being cut down. But chewing raw carrots can be problematic and if you take care while juicing it, you can have all the benefits of carrots even in juice form.
How many carrots per day?
Not more than 2 to 3 carrots per day, as excess intake can have some side effects.
Is it safe to consume carrots on daily basis?
Yes, it is safe, but make sure not to take overdoses.
Does carrot contain a high amount of sugar?
Yes, carrots are high in sugar and low in calories.
Is carrot good for diabetes?
Although carrots are high in sugar, this non-starchy veggie is safe for people with diabetes.
Does carrot juice brightens your skin tone?
Yes, it does, this is because of the antioxidant in it.
Are carrot juice any beneficial specifically for males?
Not really. Females also have benefits of carrot juice.
Is carrot juice good for your liver?
Yes, carrot juice is good for liver health. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin-A, and plant-flavonoids that could stimulate liver function.
Conclusion:
Carrots are loaded whit numerous nutrition that can surely provide an instant boost to your body. And drinking carrot juice on empty stomach (raw carrots as well) have dozens of health benefits, for instance, it may reduce the risk of cancer, may aid in weight loss, boost your immune system, and a lot more.
But besides all those, it is important to note that there might be a few drawbacks, such as excessive intake of carrots may turn your skin yellowish.
Therefore, limit your consumption of carrot juice to one or two carrots per day.
