Carrots are a very useful product that contains a huge amount of vitamin A. Two root crops are already enough to make up for the daily dose of beta-carotene. However, besides himself, carrot tops, that is, the land part of the plant, are very useful. Its harm and benefits are similar to root crops. Therefore, instead of throwing, it is better to use all the vitamins. Consider the properties and benefits of carrots and dwell on the ground part of the plant.
Carrots in the European Union
Residents of Europe have long been crazy about Portuguese jam. A treat was prepared with lemon and orange. It had a very beautiful amber color. A yellowish-orange hue was obtained due to carotene, which contains a record amount in carrots.
Carotene is an orange pigment. One of its varieties, called beta-carotene, is found in carrots, pumpkins, individual varieties of algae and mushrooms.
If you use this substance daily in food, then the risk of cancer is sharply reduced, and immunity is strengthened. Of course, it can also be taken in an artificial form. However, a natural product has a significant advantage: allergic reactions occur much less frequently. Therefore, Europe is so fond of natural jam from Portugal. But there was a time when Europeans could be left without him.
The European Union has certain rules that govern the composition of this product. According to it, jam can be prepared exclusively from berries or fruits. That is why it was decided that carrots would be considered a fruit.
Naturally, sane people could not be puzzled about this decision. After all, calling a vegetable a fruit because of a conflict in the norms is at least inconvenient, if only because it had to rename many documents. However, they decided to agree with all this, explaining this by the fact that the desire of Europeans to continue to feast on their favorite jam was very strong.
Beta carotene
So, now we know that carrots, as well as carrot tops, the benefits and harms of which will be discussed below, have the most valuable substance - beta-carotene. Its molecular structure prevents the formation of oxygen in the cell. Of course, oxygen is a natural result of cellular activity. However, due to the high chemical activity, it can even destroy cells and reduce resistance to cancer and infectious diseases.
So, with excessive oxygen, the risk of stress, the appearance of chronic diseases, exposure to harmful radiation increases sharply. In addition, the body ages faster. Beta-carotene, in turn, prevents the development of active forms of O2, preventing cancerous tumors from appearing and slowing down the aging process.
The healing properties of carrots
Carrots are consumed both boiled and raw. If you eat carrots every day, then an excellent massage of the gums is provided, their blood circulation improves, which reduces the risk of age-related tooth loss. Unfortunately, the issue has become relevant since 30 years. Therefore, people should not forget to take care of this.
Elderly people who have lost their teeth should eat carrots in grated form. Even better if you add sour cream or kefir to it. Then beta-carotene will easily pass into the desired form in the body.
In addition to vitamin A, it is worth mentioning such an important substance as potassium, which is also found in large quantities in carrots. It has a very positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Raw root vegetables or juice from it activates the functionality of the kidneys and liver, and also helps to cure diseases related to breathing.
Those who constantly eat raw carrots are not afraid of constipation. The intestines in this case work well. A tangible effect will be felt by adolescents who have multiple acne - they will significantly decrease. On the other hand, for adults, an overall decrease in the level of toxins will be important.
If we talk about boiled root vegetables, then it is good to combine with meat. Then the absorption of iron is improved, and the process of digesting the animal protein is facilitated. Therefore, whatever the reaction of vegetarians and raw foodists, and whatever nutritionists say, this combination is very useful. Of course, some vitamins break down during cooking. However, beta-carotene persists, and therefore the body is fully saturated with vitamin A.
Carrot tops
The benefits and harms of the terrestrial part of the plant are not as well known as the fruit. Many housewives just throw this part away. But in vain. After all, it contains much more useful substances than even carrots themselves. This primarily concerns beta-carotene and calcium. These substances are necessary for good vision and beautiful skin. The young body needs proteins that cleanse the blood, which also has carrot tops. The harm and benefits to the body are obvious here.
In addition to these beneficial substances, the tops are rich in potassium and vitamin B. In this regard, it is highly recommended to use the leaves for people suffering from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Great benefits for the body will give such a well-known antioxidant as selenium - of natural origin. A small amount of it provides good assistance to the vessels, as well as the reproductive organs. If you make a decoction of leaves in the winter season, it will provide excellent protection to the body from various colds and strengthen the immune system.
Caution when taking
At the same time, it should be borne in mind that carrot tops can be harmful. And the benefits and contraindications can be found by studying the root crop. Nevertheless, first of all, you should be wary of an allergic reaction. In order to avoid this and other unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to consult a doctor before use. Often, tops are used in various diets. And this is not surprising. In addition to the large amount of nutrients that the body receives with leaves, fiber, which is contained in large quantities here, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Cooking Benefits
In addition to therapeutic purposes, carrot tops are often used in cooking. The benefits and harms when studied, it can be safely added to salads, soups and snacks.
Many recipes came to us from grandmothers who added tops to salads and made dressings for soups with them. And this is not just due to the fact that there were not enough products. They were well aware of the enormous benefits that the tops have. The leaves go very well with sorrel and nettle. Also, many recipes for first courses can be found with them and with sour cream and kvass.
In Russia, they love canned vegetables, in which carrot tops are added. Its harm and benefits are fully preserved in pickles. Basically, it is added to sauerkraut or salted tomatoes. The leaves give the dishes a slightly sweeter flavor. Also, some housewives add them to dumplings or pies.
The plant will give a spicy flavor to salads and casserole. Especially felt the benefits of the tops in a growing body, which simply needs a lot of vitamins and calcium. Before dressing, leaves are poured in boiling water in order to remove excess bitterness. Then the taste will be more neutral.
How to add leaves
Mistresses today are increasingly interested in how to use carrot tops for health benefits. The fashion for healthy eating encourages many to add leaves to culinary dishes. Thus, it becomes popular not only in folk medicine, but also on the table of the modern housewife, fresh and dried carrot tops.
Benefit, harm her continue to be the same in different dishes. It is cooked with a side dish and salads, added as a filling and in the first dishes. As a drink, a dessert spoon of leaves is brewed in a glass of boiling water and insisted for half an hour. Let's look at some specific recipes.
Potato casserole
You can cook, for example, potato casserole with tops. To do this, peeled boiled potatoes are grated, laid on a baking sheet, previously anointed with oil and laid with breadcrumbs. Add greens on top and pour sour cream.
Salted tomatoes
Or here's a recipe for making salted tomato. In a three-liter jar, add six tablespoons of sugar, one tablespoon of salt and a small spoon of vinegar. The tops are placed in a sterilized jar, then the tomatoes and again the tops. The jar is poured with boiling water, then it is poured into a pan, where salt and sugar are reported. Bring the water to a boil and pour it into a jar again. After that, add vinegar to it, roll it up, turn it upside down, wrap it up and leave it like that for a day.
In folk medicine
But consider what carrot tops have beneficial properties and harm from the point of view of traditional medicine. It can be found in different recipes of decoctions and medicinal teas. Indeed, it contains various essential oils, antiseptics, biologically active substances, vitamins and minerals.
It has been used with success both for the purpose of treatment and for prevention. Due to a sedentary lifestyle, the risk of hemorrhoids and diseases of a cardiovascular nature increases. People who, due to the profession, have to spend a lot of time in a sitting position, are recommended to make a decoction to strengthen the vessels or tea from carrot tops. The benefits and harms of the drink are revealed through the ability to cleanse toxins. It is useful to drink it, insisting thirty minutes and about half an hour before meals. After a couple of weeks with regular use, you will feel light on the emotional and physical levels.
Carrot tops: harm and benefits
In the article, we learned many advantages of carrot leaves. But at the same time, one should not forget about the contraindications that carrot tops have. The benefits and harms (reviews confirm this) are incommensurable with each other. The latter may consist primarily in individual intolerance. Do not forget that the leaves contain nitrates and alkaloids. They, in general, are no more than in coffee. However, it is very simple to check whether there will be an allergic reaction from the use of tops or not. It is enough to apply leaves to the skin. If no redness or rash is observed, then you can safely start using them as a medicine or add to food.
In addition to allergies, the use of leaves during pregnancy and gastrointestinal diseases during periods of exacerbation is not recommended.
But if all precautions are taken into account, then both the root crop and the carrots themselves can bring invaluable health benefits. Therefore, those who care about themselves and loved ones should definitely have this product on a note and use it both in cooking and as a medicine.