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Carrots 
May help prevent: cancer, cataracts, heart disease, high blood pressure,
infection, macular degeneration.
Carrots are low in calories with just 31 calories per seven inch
carrot stick. All it takes is one carrot to supply enough beta-carotene
to meet your daily requirements for vitamin A, making carrots one of
the best dietary sources of beta-carotene. This powerful antioxidant
boosts the immune system, is vital to eyesight, and fights infections.
Preliminary research also indicates that vitamin A is essential for learning
and memory. Almost all epidemiological studies show that regular consumption
of beta-carotene rich foods reduces the risk of developing cancer. Numerous
other studies have shown that regular consumption of carrots (5- 7 carrots
per week) dramatically lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Although
beta-carotene gets all the credit, alpha-carotene another carotenoid
found in carrots is ten times more effective in beating the battle against
cancer. In addition, carrots contain a terpenoid to further the cancer-fighting
properties and credit its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor
properties to the flavonoid called apigenin. This team of phytochemicals
also works together to build healthy skin, tissue, and teeth. Although
carrots contain more natural sugar than other vegetables, the fibre found
in carrots prevents the sugar from rushing into the bloodstream and creating
insulin spikes.
Action Tip: Choose carrots with rich orange colour, as the deeper the orange
colour, the richer the phytochemical content. Enjoy carrots sticks or
baby carrots as an anytime snack, salad brightener, or dipping stick.
Add sliced or grated carrots to stir-fries, stew, soup, pasta sauce or
casseroles.
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