Written by Jyoti Shah in Nutrition
Viewed by 1,051 readers since 05-29-2009

Carrot juice is a gold mine of beneficial nutrients and minerals and can offer immense value in therapeutic terms. Carrots were popular since the time of the ancient Greeks as far back as the 20th century BC. Its juice was a favorite because it was an excellent cleanser, relieved constipation and was a remedy for physical exhaustion. Carrots are the richest source of beta-carotene, a pre-cursor of Vitamin A, and also known as pro vitamin A. Beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A in the body.

Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency will cause difficulty in night vision and glare-blindness while driving caused by glare of lights from passing vehicles. It will also make the thin layer of muscular fibers close to the epithelium, lose its pliability and elasticity and make skin horny.

It can also cause infections of bladder, kidneys, tonsils, mouth, sinuses, ear canal, and eyes and tear ducts.

Nutritive Value of Carrots

Apart from beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A, carrots are a good source of B-Complex vitamins like, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin and B6. Carrots also contain Vitamin C, K and E, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and trace elements like, zinc, fluoride, sodium, copper, iron, phosphorous, calcium and aluminum. Carrots are a rich source of dietary fiber.

How Drinking Carrot Juice Can Help

Carrot juice is beneficial to health in innumerable ways. Carotene in carrots is an anti-oxidant that is known to prevent degeneration of cells and is therefore, considered to have anti-aging effects. The high content of anti-oxidants also reduces the risk of quite a few cancers. Being a rich source of dietary fiber they also reduce the risk of heart disease.

Carrot juice can help to maintain healthy skin, hair, bones, and normal glandular function, and can also keep body tissue healthy. Vitamin A in carrots is important for night vision, helps functioning of our immune system and has a detoxifying effect on the liver. It can cleanse the liver from fat and other unnecessary elements. Carrots can keep your spleen and stomach healthy and are also beneficial for your adrenal glands.

Raw carrot juice lowers stress and restores normalcy to digestive function. Soup made from carrots is a good home remedy for diarrhea. It is believed to help treat sexual dysfunction and low sexual drive, and can provide relief from long term cough, cold and gas.

Nursing mothers can enhance quality of breast milk with carrot juice. Pregnant mothers also benefit from it as it contains Vitamin A and E. Vitamin E helps the normal development of the fetus. Children like drinking carrot juice because of the sugar present in it. Adding lime juice or orange juice enhances both flavor and taste. It can give children a better appetite and lower incidence of colds and flu.

Potash succinate present in carrots has anti-hypertensive properties and is beneficial for high blood sufferers. Natural Magnesium present in carrots helps lower LDH or bad cholesterol, strengthens blood vessels and relieves spasms. Nicotinic acid, also known as Niacin or Vitamin B3 present in carrots helps to metabolize lipids and fats.

Carrots are good for those suffering from diabetes. They can increase menstrual flow for those having scanty periods. Carrot juice is also a good diuretic.

How to Make Carrot Juice

Wash carrots thoroughly. Scrape lightly. Avoid peeling. Peeling can cause of loss of important nutrients and minerals, which are close to the skin. Prepare juice in mixer and consume immediately to prevent loss of vital nutrients and anti-oxidants. Else let it flow directly into glass containers from the juicer and store covered in the fridge. If using a blender, add a glass of water.

Mixing carrot juice with other vegetable juices like spinach can help calm and refresh the mind and improve sleep. This combination also relieves constipation. Mixing carrot juice with juice of any berry or beetroot juice will make a highly nutritive tonic and give you your day’s quota of Vitamin C as well.

Carrot juice is a wonder juice that can give you your daily requirement of Vitamin A and many other important nutrients that are required for good health. Make it a point to have a glass every day, plain or mixed with any other vegetable or fruit juice.