Health Benefits of Carrots

The health benefits of carrots include reduced cholesterol, prevention from heart attacks, warding off of certain cancers, improving vision and reducing the signs of premature aging. Furthermore, carrots have the ability to increase the health of your skin, boost the immune system, improve digestion, increase cardiovascular health, detoxify the body, and boost oral health in a variety of ways.  They also provide a well-rounded influx of vitamins and minerals.

Carrots are one of the most widely used and enjoyed vegetables in the world, partly because they grow relatively easily, and are very versatile in a number of dishes and cultural cuisines. Carrots are scientifically classified as Daucus carota, and it is categorized as a root vegetable. It is typically orange in color, but purple, white, yellow, and red carrots are out there, just not as common. The taproot of the carrot is the part of the vegetable most commonly eaten, although the greens are still beneficial in salads and other forms.

The type of carrot most commonly eaten around the world is the domesticated variation of the wild species named above, and it is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The majority of carrots are now cultivated in China, but they are exported throughout the world to be included in salads and soups, as well as a stand-alone vegetable for snacks, side dishes, and essential ingredients in many recipes.

Carrots in the wild have a woody core element that is not very palatable, so cultivation has eventually selected that characteristic out so we are left with the form of carrots that we are familiar with today. Both adults and children like carrots because of their crunchy texture and sweet taste, so this is one of the valuable vegetables for parents, as children seem to enjoy eating them, a rare exception!

The many medicinal and health benefits of carrots, along with its delicious taste, are what makes this such an important vegetable in cultural cuisines across the globe, so let’s first understand what exactly is it about carrots that make them so beneficial!

Nutritional Value & Calories

Most of the benefits of carrots can be attributed to their beta-carotene and fiber content. This root vegetable is also a good source of antioxidant agents. Furthermore, carrots are rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese. Carrots contain just 44 calories per 100gm.

Now, let’s find out how this impressive list of nutrients and organic compounds actually affects human health.

Health Benefits of Carrots

Prevention of Heart Disease: In a study meant to reveal the therapeutic value of carrots, researchers at the Wolfson Gastrointestinal Laboratory in Edinburgh, Scotland revealed that cholesterol level drops by an average of 11 percent if seven ounces of raw carrots per day are taken for three weeks.

High cholesterol is a major factor for heart disease. Since regular consumption of carrots reduces cholesterol levels, it is a good idea to consume a healthy dose of carrots, in order to prevent heart-related problems.

A group of Swedish scientists discovered that these root vegetables can reduce the chances of having a heart attack. A study conducted at the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Italy found that those who ate more carrots had a 1/3rd risk of heart attack as compared with those who ate fewer carrots.

Blood Pressure: Next time you start getting riled up about something and your blood begins to boil, eat a carrot! Carrots are rich sources of potassium, which is a vasodilator and can relax the tension in your blood vessels and arteries, thereby increasing blood flow and circulation, boosting organ function throughout the body and reducing the stress on the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is also directly linked to atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks, so this is yet another heart-healthy aspect of carrots! The coumarin found in carrots also has been linked to reducing hypertension and protecting your heart health!

Immune Booster:  Carrots contain a number of antiseptic and antibacterial abilities that make it ideal for boosting the immune system. Not only that, carrots are a rich source of vitamin C, which stimulates the activity of white blood cells and is one of the most important elements in the human immune system.

Digestion: Carrots, like most vegetables, have significant amounts of dietary fiber in those orange roots, and fiber is one of the most important elements in maintaining good digestive health. Fiber adds bulk to stool, which helps it pass smoothly through the digestive tract, and it also stimulates peristaltic motion and the secretion of gastric juices. Altogether, this reduces the severity of conditions like constipation and protects your colon and stomach from various serious illnesses, including colorectal cancer. Fiber also boosts heart health by helping to eliminate excess LDL cholesterol from the walls of arteries and blood vessels.

Prevents Cancer: Beta-carotene consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of several cancers, notably lung cancer. British researchers discovered that increasing beta-carotene consumption from 1.7 to 2.7 milligrams per day reduced lung cancer risk by more than 40 percent. The average carrot contains about three milligrams of beta-carotene.

In a separate study, researchers found that eating fiber-rich carrots reduces the risk of colon cancer by as much as 24 percent. Another study shows that women who ate raw carrots were five to eight times less likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not eat carrots. Further research into the application of both carrots and beta-carotene in relation to other forms of cancer is ongoing.

Macular Degeneration: This is a common eye disease of the elderly that impairs the function of the macula. Research has found that people who ate the most amount of beta-carotene had a forty percent lower risk of macular degeneration compared with those who consumed the least. Beta-carotene can also split itself via an enzymatic reaction to form provitamin A, which is often associated with antioxidant capacity in relation to vision. Therefore, carrots are an all-around vision booster.

Improves Eyesight: Deficiency of vitamin A can cause some difficulty seeing in dim light. Since carrots are rich in vitamin A, it is good for improving eyesight and preventing conditions like night blindness from developing as we age.

Oral Health: The organic compounds in carrots all by themselves are good for mineral antioxidants, but carrots also stimulate the gums and induce excess saliva. Saliva is an alkaline substance and combats the bacteria and foreign bodies that can often result in cavities, halitosis, and other oral health risks.

Stroke: Eating a carrot every day reduces the risk of stroke by 68%. Many studies have strengthened the belief in the “carrot effect” on the brain. Studies conducted on stroke patients revealed that those with highest levels of beta-carotene had the highest survival rate.

Diabetes: Carrots are good for blood sugar regulation due to the presence of carotenoids in this delicious vegetable. Carotenoids inversely affect insulin resistance and thus lower blood sugar, thereby helping diabetic patients live a normal, healthy life. They also regulate the amount of insulin and glucose that is being used and metabolized by the body, providing a more even and healthy fluctuation for diabetic patients.

Carrots have antiseptic qualities and can, therefore, be used as laxatives, vermicides and as a remedy for liver conditions. Carrot oil is good for dry skin because it makes the skin softer, smoother and firmer. Furthermore, carrot juice improves stomach and gastrointestinal health.

Thus, carrots, as raw fruits, juice or in cooked form, are always a good choice for your health!

To know more details visit https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/carrots.html

Benefits of Papaya Fruit

Papaya fruit is a most valuable and delicious sweet fruit available all over the year sufficiently. Papaya is also known as pawpaw and famous for its digestive, nutritional and medicinal benefits. It is loved by all the people to eat generally after the breakfast, lunch or dinner in small amount as a natural dessert. It is pear shape of around 7 inches long and 1 pound in weight. Its juicy flesh pulp is the edible part. It can be easily cultivated in any type of clay and areas.

It is included with the lot of benefits for the different organs of the body such as benefits for skin, benefits for hair and etc. Papaya has an enzyme known as Papain (proteolytic enzyme) which is very helpful in the digestion of proteins. Papaya is also the rich source of the antioxidant nutrients like carotenes, vitamin C, flavonoids, B group vitamins, pantothenic acid, folate, minerals like potassium, magnesium and fiber. The pulp of the papaya is used as beauty materials like facial cream and shampoo.

Its original location is Central America which was distributed to other areas of the world like Philippines, Africa, India during the journey by Spainish and Portugal. The papaya has been said as “The Fruit of the Angels” by the great person Christopher Columbus.

 

Benefits of Papaya Fruit

Papaya fruit is a delicious gift from the God having great taste and mouthwatering flavor including lots of amazing health benefits. It is the most popular fruit found everywhere all over the world and highly used by the people because of its health as well as medicinal properties. As tree of papaya was worshiped by the Mayans, it has been titled as “Tree of Life”. And it has also been the most favorite fruit of Christopher Columbus. It is a fruit used for many purposes especially by the women. Some of its health nourishing beneficial effects is mentioned below:

 

Benefits of Papaya for Skin

Makes Skin Healthy : Papaya is packed with the healthy components which provide the glowing and healthy skin.

Removes Dead Skin Cells : Papaya is a rich source of the Vitamin A as well as the Papain which has the property of removing the dead cells from skin and breaking down the inactive proteins.

Keeps Skin Hydrated : Papaya has a low sodium quality feature which makes the skin hydrated through the little water retention.

Reduces Skin Inflammation : Because of the presence of papain and chymopapain, papaya helps in reducing and healing the inflammation from burn areas.

Prevents from Free Radicals : Its antioxidant nature prevents skin from the harmful effects of free radicals and other environmental factors.

 

Beauty Benefits of Papaya

Removes Spots from Skin : Applying the paste of raw papaya for 25 min on the face reduces the pimples and removes the blemishes from the skin.

Makes Skin Shiny and Soft : Regular use of papaya whether it is applied on the skin or eaten offers long lasting effect and makes the skin shiny, smooth, elastic and soft.

Removes Skin Stain : It works as a natural skin exfoliator and helps in removing the skin stain.

Reduces Wrinkles : Papaya peel is also used on the face to reduce the ageing signs and wrinkles as well as for whitening the legs.

Treats Ringworm Patches : Raw papaya helps to treat and reduce the inflammation of the ringworms by rubbing the small pieces of it on the ringworm patches.

Treats Sore and Cracked Heels : Sore and cracked heels can be treated when its mashed pulp is used on it.

Treats Skin Ulcers : It cures and heals the external wounds and chronic skin ulcers when applied on.

Provides Relief from Skin Diseases : It provides relief from the skin diseases or loss of sensation over skin if the affected area is massaged with mixture of papaya seeds paste and sesame (til) oil (boiled and cooled). Applying milk of raw papaya also provides help in skin disease.

Benefits of Papaya for Hair

Provides Nourishment to Hair Shaft : Whether it is eaten or applied on the hair it nourishes the hair shaft.

Cures Baldness : Because of its rich nutrients availability it cures and prevents baldness as well as boost the growth and strength of hair.

Prevents from Dandruff and Hair Thinning : It helps in removing and controlling the dandruff from the scalp and reduces the hair thinning.

Source of Healthy Nutrients : As being the rich source of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes it helps in removing oil, dirt and chemical build up from hair.

Makes Dull Hair Shiny : The extracts of the papaya leaf works as a good hair conditioner which provides shine to the dull hair.

\Makes Hair Strong and Thick : Using the papaya as a hair mask helps the hairs to be thick, strong and healthy.

Benefits of Papaya for Heart

Maintain Blood Pressure and Improves Alertness : Papaya is a very good antidote for the hypertension. The availability of the potassium in it helps to maintain the blood pressure and improve mental alertness.

Reduces Risk of Heart Diseases : Because of being packed with the nutrients it prevents the occurrence of heart diseases. It prevents the causes of strokes and heart attack by preventing the cholesterol oxidation. Papaya converts the substance homocysteine (which causes heart attack and stroke) into the risk-free amino acids.

Lowers Bad Cholesterol Level in Blood : As it is rich source of fiber, it lowers down the bad cholesterol level in blood if consumed regularly.

Reduces Stress Level : Regular consumption of papaya in little amount helps in reducing stress level throughout the day as it is rich source of vitamin C which keeps away from stress by regulating the flow of stress hormones thus protects from heart disorders.

Treats Heart Disorders : It helps in treating heart disorders if raw papaya milk (10-20 drops) is taken with Batasha, consuming raw papaya kheer or drinking papaya leaves kada (boil papaya leaves into water with saunf, elaichi, black pepper, black salt) during sleeping time in night.

Benefits of Papaya for Immunity System

Boosts Body Immunity : Papaya boosts up the immunity system because of the availability of Beta-carotene, vitamin C, A, E which are very necessary for the functioning of immune system.

Prevents from Infection : It helps in preventing the recurring infections of ear, cold as well as flu.

Benefits of Papaya for Good Eyesight

Improves Eyesight : Eating papaya two to three times a day helps the eyesight improved and maintained because of the presence of vitamin A.

Prevents from Eye Disorders : It prevents from various eye disorders like weak eye sight, eye muscle problem, age-related macular degeneration and so many.

Benefits of Papaya for Cancer Prevention

Prevents from Colon Cancer : The fiber found in papaya has ability to bind the cancer causing toxins in colon thus prevents colon cancer.

Prevents from Lungs Cancer : Papaya is rich in the antioxidants like Flavanoids and Carotenes including beta-carotene, zea-xanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthin and others which protect the body from the lung cancers and other cancers as well as reduces the ageing process.

Treats Cancer : Eating raw papaya salad or raw papaya raita with dahi helps in treating cancer.

 

Benefits of Papaya for Digestive System

Improves Digestion Process : It helps in digestion process because of high enzyme content, soluble fiber content and high water.

Prevents from Constipation : Because of the high water content and soluble fibers papaya helps in promoting the normal bowel movements and prevents from constipation (if 250 g of papaya is eaten in morning and 150 g eaten after food regularly).

Promotes Hunger and Treats Indigestion : It helps in promoting hunger and treating indigestion if well ripe papaya (sprinkled with lemon juice, sendha namak and roasted jeera powder) is eaten regularly.

Treats Gall Bladder Stone : It helps in treating gall bladder stone if 5-6 g of papaya root paste is taken with water in the early morning with empty stomach for 21 days.

Benefits of Papaya for Bones and Joints

Protects from Rheumatoid Arthritis : Papaya protects from the inflammatory polyarthritis (means rheumatoid arthritis which involves more than one joint at a time).

Relieves Pain : It helps in relieving the pain of people suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis and edema.

Benefits of Papaya for Aging Prevention

Promotes Cellular Growth : B group vitamins like B1, B6, folate and minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium and etc promotes the cellular growth.

Delays Premature Ageing : It has strong antioxidant property thus it protects the age related macular degeneration and premature ageing process.

 

Benefits of Papaya for Men

Boosts Healthy Blood Flow : Papaya boosts the male virility as it contains the enzyme known as arginine which boosts the flow of blood around sex organs.

Prevents from Prostate Cancer : Regular consumption of it reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer among men as it is a lycopene rich fruit.

Benefits of Papaya for Women

Regulates Menstruation : Papaya helps in promoting the normal flow of menstruation, controlling the menstrual irregularities and pain among women if raw papaya juice is taken regularly.

Burns Extra Fat Deposits : It contains healthy nutrients like vitamins C, E, A, folates and antioxidants which promote more calorie burn by cutting down the extra fat deposits.

 

Benefits of Papaya for Weight Loss

Maintains Weight : Papaya is well known fruit for years for its high effectiveness for the weight loss strategy among people more conscious towards their health and weight management.

Low Calorie Food : Regular consumption of it helps in losing and maintaining weight because of its low calories and high nutritional contents.

Benefits of Papaya for Kids

Promotes Proper Growth and Prevents from Dwarfism : Regular consumption of papaya on daily basis promotes healthy growth and development among kids as well as provides good length and prevents from dwarfism (small size).

Other Health Benefits of Papaya

Regulates Normal Body Functioning : Papaya is very commonly found and cheap fruit having large amount of carotene which is very beneficial for the normal body functioning.

Cures Respiratory Disorders : It helps in curing the respiratory disorders including bronchitis, cough and breathlessness as it has latex.

Good for Diabetic Patients : It is good for the diabetic patients too instead of being a sweet fruit.

Cures Morning Sickness : It helps curing the morning sickness and nausea in the pregnant ladies.

Prevents Unnecessary Blood Clotting : It contains some natural anti blood clotting agents which help in preventing from the unnecessary blood clotting in the body.

Relieves Pain : Eating papaya regularly helps in treating tooth pain, gum pain, bleeding gums and swelling problems.

 

Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds

As papaya gives us lots of benefits in our daily life, its small seeds also gives many health benefits. Some of are:

Prevents from Parasites : The seeds of papaya fruit contain high levels of proteolytic enzyme just like papain which protects the body from parasites and their eggs as well as breaks down the protein wastes.

Kills Parasitic Worms : Papaya seeds also have an anthelmintic alkaloid known as carpaine which can kill the parasitic worms and amoebas.

Treats Liver Cirrhosis : Papaya seeds help to treat the liver cirrhosis (a disease caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol). Liver becomes hard and shrink and unable to remove toxins from the body which in turn cause serious health problems. Grinded papaya seed (four or five) can be taken by mixing with a tablespoon of lime juice for a month and twice a day to get relieve from the symptoms of liver cirrhosis. If taken regularly, helps in liver detoxification and improve its vital functioning.

Kills Harmful Bacteria : Papaya seeds have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on digestive system by killing harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. coli and others causing hazardous infections.

Prevents from Kidney Failure : Seeds of papaya protect the kidney from kidney failure caused by the toxins.

Cures Piles and Typhoid Fever : Seeds of papaya also help in curing the piles and typhoid fever (if taken with milk).

Treats Plague and Cholera : It helps in treating plague and cholera diseases if 120-125 mg seeds paste of papaya is taken with water every two hourly and 250 mg of papaya seeds paste is taken with rose water thrice a day respectively.

Relieves Pain of Bite of toxic Insects : Applying the paste of papaya seeds on the bite area of toxic insects provides instant help.

Treats Swelling Problems : Applying the paste of papaya seeds on ganth of any part of body provides help or taking 20 g juice of raw papaya regularly provides instant help and relief.

 

Benefits of Papaya Leaves

Benefits of Papaya Leaves Juice in Dengue Fever

Papaya leaves are also used for therapeutic purposes as it has the ability to cure the dengue fever. The juice and pulp from the papaya leaves (by grinding it) is needed to be squeezed out and taken 2 tsf once a day. Papaya leaves extracts boosts as well as regenerate the platelets (thrombocytes) and white blood cells level. It has some natural ingredients including the vitamins A, C and E which supports the immune system by regulating the T-cells.

Benefits of Papaya Leaves for Skin

Makes Skin Healthy

• Its higher vitamins contents, leaf juice works as a skin cleansing agent and promote the skin health. Also protects the skin from freckles, pimples and blemishes.

Treats Eczema

• The Juice of papaya leaves helps in treating the eczema if applied over the affected areas after cleaning.
• It also promotes the healing of wounds and sores.

Benefits of Papaya Leaves for Hair

Promotes Hair Growth

• Juice of papaya leaves works as a good conditioner for hair and promotes and strengthens the hair growth by treating the thinning, balding, dandruff and etc.

Treats Dull and Coarse Hair

• Papaya leaf juice can be applied together with the coconut milk and honey for better hair treatment. It gives shine, softness to the dull and coarse hair.

Keeps Hair Clean

• It removes the dirt and oil from the hair without any side effects.

 

Nutritional Benefits of Papaya per 100 g

Papaya Nutritional Benefits:

Water: 88.06 g

Energy: 43 Kcal

Protein: 0.47 g

Fat: 0.26 g

Carbohydrate: 10.82 g

Fiber: 1.7 g

Sugars: 7.82 g

Glucose (dextrose): 4.09 g

Fructose: 3.73 g

Minerals found in Papaya:

Calcium: 20 mg

Iron: 0.25 mg

Magnesium: 21 mg

Phosphorus: 10 mg

Zinc: 0.08 mg

Copper: 0.045 mg

Manganese: 0.040 mg

Selenium: 0.6 µg

Electrolytes

Potassium: 182 mg

Sodium: 8 mg

Vitamins Found in Papaya:

Vitamin C: 60.9 mg

Thiamine (vitamin B1): 0.023 mg

Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 0.027 mg

Niacin (vitamin B3): 0.357 mg

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 0.191 mg

Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine): 0.038 mg

Folates: 37 µg

Choline: 6.1 mg

Beta Carotene: 274 µg

Alpha Carotene: 2 µg

Cryptoxanthin (beta): 589 µg

Vitamin A: 950 IU

Lycopene: 1828 µg

Lutein plus zeaxanthin: 89 µg

Vitamin E: 0.30 mg

Alpha Tocopherol: 0.02 mg

Tocopherol (gamma): 0.09 mg

Tocopherol (delta): 0.01 mg

Vitamin K, Phylloquinone: 2.6 µg

Fatty Acids Found in Papaya:

Saturated fatty acids: 0.081 g

Dodecanoic acid: 0.002 g

Tetradecanoic acid: 0.013 g

Hexadecanoic acid: 0.060 g

Octadecanoic acid (Lauric acid): 0.004 g

Monounsaturated fatty acids: 0.072 g

Octadecenoic acid (Omega-9): 0.034 g

Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 0.058 g

Octadecadienoic acid (Omega-6): 0.011 g

Amino Acids Found in Papaya:

Tryptophan (amino acid): 0.008 g

Threonine: 0.011 g

Isoleucine: 0.008 g

Leucine: 0.016 g

Lysine: 0.025 g

Methionine: 0.002 g

Phenylalanine: 0.009 g

Tyrosine: 0.005 g

Valine: 0.010 g

Arginine: 0.010 g

Histidine: 0.005 g

Alanine: 0.014 g

Aspartic acid: 0.049 g

Glutamic acid: 0.033 g

Glycine: 0.018 g

Proline: 0.010 g

Serine: 0.015 g

How to Select and Store Papaya

Papaya is a very healthy fruit available in the market in abundant amount during its seasons in the summer and winter as well. Always, buy fresh, well ripe, tight, intact skin, yellowish orange bright color, soft and small size papaya from the market in order to finish it in a day or two. Avoid buying papaya in bulk amount as it may decay soon in a day or two. Do not buy bruised, irregular shape, yellowish green, too much tight, patchy or wrinkled skin and too long papaya from the market. Papaya can be stored at room temperature for almost three days long however it can be stored for longer period of time in the refrigerator.

Precautions, Side Effects and Disadvantages of Eating More Papaya

• Eating too much papaya can cause carotenemia (skin discoloration) because of the high value of beta carotene. In carotenemia, palms, white of the eye, soles of the body can be more affected and become yellowish and makes a person feel like jaundice.

• Eating more papaya can cause the respiratory distress in a person because the Papain (an enzyme found in papaya) is a potential allergen which can cause hay fever or asthma, breathing difficulties, wheezing and nasal congestion.

• Eating a lot of papaya can cause kidney stones. As the papaya has vitamin C, taking high dose of vitamin C more than the daily recommended value provoke the toxicity symptoms and oxalate (byproduct of vitamin C) kidney stones.

• Eating too much papaya can cause the gastrointestinal symptoms. The fibers, Papain and latex can cause irritation and upset of the stomach.

How Much Papaya Should You Eat A Day

As the papaya is packed with the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and etc, it can be eaten three times a day. Eating more can cause unpleasant side effects over the health of body. There is not any accurate or ideal amount of the papaya which can be eaten daily by all the people. Because the energy, nutrients, vitamins and minerals requirement of the body is different for every person so the one should take papaya in balanced amount according to his own diet and nutritional requirements.

Avoid during Pregnancy

• Pregnant woman should avoid the papaya seeds and green papaya.

For more details visit http://www.womenplanet.in/health-fitness/benefits-of-papaya