Ever wondered what keeps Bugs Bunny so fit as a fiddle? No, it’s not an energy drink or some magic potion. The hidden secret is Bugs’ favorite food—the humble carrot! The unassuming root vegetable is a reservoir of wholesome nutrients, powerful antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals, which could be why the carrot is one of the most popular vegetables enjoyed worldwide. Carrots can be eaten in a variety of ways from raw, pureed, and steamed to baked or frozen. Interestingly, your body can more easily absorb nutrients from cooked or pulped carrots than raw ones. Parmesan rosemary carrot fries make an impressively nutritious super easy recipe that kids and adults will love equally. More importantly, extensive studies have linked carrots to numerous health benefits.
Throughout the ages, carrots have been an important part of diets across many cultures and have been attributed numerous medicinal properties—the leaves and seeds of carrots have been extensively used in medicines since ancient times. The presence of the potent antioxidant beta-carotene is what gives carrots their characteristic orange hue. However, they can also be grown in shades of white, yellow, red, and purple.
Carrots are densely packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin A, C, D, and K, fiber, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. Several studies have linked antioxidant-rich foods with a reduced risk of cancer. Moreover, the nutrient-dense content of carrots can provide relief from various health conditions including Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS).
Feeling tired after a busy day at work is normal, however, if you frequently experience extreme fatigue along with other symptoms such as low energy levels, insomnia, anxiety, brain fog, low concentration, constipation, difficulty waking up, stubborn weight gain, and cravings for salty or fatty foods then chances are high you may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue. The condition mainly occurs if your body experiences prolonged periods of stress beyond the level your body can manage.
Your body is naturally equipped with a stress-fighting mechanism known as the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response system. The NEM system is a complex network of various organs and six circuits: cardionomic, inflammation, hormonal, detoxification, neuroaffect, and metabolic. The adrenal glands—a pair of walnut-shaped glands above your kidneys—are also an important part of your stress response system.
When you experience a stressful situation, the NEM system signals to your adrenals to secrete the anti-stress hormone cortisol in order to protect your body from the stress. However, if the stress is persistent and unrelenting, the excess load on your adrenals can cause them to become overburdened and overworked. As a result, your adrenals are no longer able to secrete adequate amounts of cortisol thus reducing your body’s natural stress-fighting abilities, leading to Adrenal Fatigue. Brightly colored nutrient-rich foods such as carrots are extremely beneficial for Adrenal Fatigue. Therefore, adding carrot fries to your menu may help alleviate some of the symptoms of AFS by promoting weight loss, relieving constipation, strengthening your immunity, curbing cravings, boosting your energy levels, and enhancing your brain function.
Nutrient-dense carrots have amazing health benefits. So, here are a few reasons you should consider including this wholesome vegetable in your diet.
Carrots are the richest source of the antioxidant beta-carotene as well as natural carotenoid phytochemicals, which are known to help combat cancer by reducing inflammation, preventing DNA damage, and hindering cell mutation. These nutritious root vegetables are rich in other antioxidants including lycopene, vitamin C, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Moreover, adding carrot fries to your menu can help your body fight inflammation, viruses, harmful bacteria, free radical damage, and various diseases.
Carrots are rich in essential nutrients, minerals, and powerful antioxidants that boost your immunity by stimulating white blood cells. Carrot fries can be highly beneficial to those suffering from AFS who tend to have a weakened immune system. These delicious veggie fries are also a healthier way of satisfying your cravings for salty or fatty foods. In addition, carrots have antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can help fight infections.
The powerful antioxidants found in carrots help reduce oxidative stress in the brain thus preventing various memory-related issues such as Alzheimer’s disease. Including carrots in your diet promotes brain health and can improve your memory and cognitive abilities.
Poor oral health can put unnecessary stress on your body and trigger Adrenal Fatigue symptoms. Certain minerals in carrots exhibit antibacterial properties, which help fight cavities and various other dental issues. Carrots can strengthen your immunity and fight the numerous bacteria that may enter your mouth and thrive within your teeth and gums. Eating carrots after meals can help to naturally cleanse your teeth by acting as a gentle scrub. Further, the high fiber content of carrots will also scrub unwanted bacteria from your gut.
Studies have linked carotenoid-rich foods with anti-cancer properties. Carrots are rich in carotenoids that help fight leukemia cells and reduce the risk of various other cancers including breast and ovarian cancer. In one study, women with breast cancer who drank 8 ounces of carrot juice daily had a higher level of carotenoids in their blood which reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, thus protecting your body from cancerous cell growth.
Incorporating carrots in your diet can help promote healthy vision and protect against macular degeneration, cataract, and various age-related eye disorders.
Carrots are particularly rich in beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein, which are known to promote eye health. Beta-carotene can protect your eyes from disorders such as macular degeneration and blindness, while zeaxanthin and lutein fight against age-related vision loss.
One cup of carrots contains a whopping 400 percent of your daily vitamin A requirement! In carrots, vitamin A is found in the form of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is essential to eye health and deficiency can lead to night blindness and in extreme cases, even permanent blindness.
Poor digestion and constipation can badly affect your health by exerting stress on your body that often leaves you fatigued. Carrots are a rich source of dietary fiber and therefore support digestive health, provide relief from constipation, and protect the stomach and colon from various illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Fiber stimulates gastric juices and peristaltic movement as well as adding bulk and roughage to stool, thus making transport easier through your digestive tract. Furthermore, carrots keep you full and promote weight loss. That’s why carrot fries are a great option for weight loss.
A study from the Wolfson Gastrointestinal Laboratory in Edinburgh, Scotland suggests that consuming seven ounces of carrots every day for up to three weeks may reduce cholesterol levels by up to 11 percent. Another study carried out at the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Italy suggests that consuming carrots may reduce your risk of heart attack by one third.
In addition to standard carrot sticks, carrot soup, and steamed carrots, here is an impressive way of serving this versatile vegetable. Sweet, salty, and savory all at once, parmesan rosemary carrot fries are a delicious and exciting way of incorporating the humble and nutritious carrot into your diet. Carrot fries are super easy to prepare and make an excellent side dish and can also be enjoyed as an ultra healthy late afternoon snack to keep you going during the day. This recipe is particularly great if you are suffering from AFS and often crave for salty or fatty foods. Carrots have a naturally sweet undertone and certain cooking methods, such as baking, actually intensify their sweetness. Both children and adults will love this recipe.
Carrots are nutrient dense versatile edible root vegetables with immense health benefits. This humble veggie is loaded with vitamins A, C, D, and K, powerful antioxidants, fiber and essential minerals. Carrots have been linked to numerous health benefits such as improved vision, greater digestive health, anticancer properties, enhanced cognitive function, heart health, good oral health, and relief from the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue. When consumed pulped or cooked, the nutrients in carrots are easily absorbed by your body. Carrot fries are a delicious and healthy way of incorporating this nutritious vegetable into your diet.
Carrots are naturally sweet and loaded with nutrition. People with high blood sugar levels can enjoy carrot fries because carrots have a low glycemic index and therefore do not cause spikes in your blood sugar level. Carrots can actually help you manage your blood glucose levels.
