Few people know, but carrots were held in high esteem by the inhabitants of Ancient Rome. It was called a "treat for the noble", and, going to the gladiatorial battles, people did not forget to put the dried vegetable in a special bag.
Today, much is known about carrots. For example, a pleasant aroma is the merit of a number of essential oils with which the composition of the root crop is rich, and it is not deprived of its healing properties. Not for nothing that it is recommended to drink its juice to tone the body. However, contraindications to the use of a vegetable are impressive no less than its positive qualities. But first things first...
Benefit and harm
Fresh carrot has the following properties:
- It improves vision, boosts immunity, and also copes with burns, frostbite, purulent wounds, skin and mucous membranes.
- Promotes the resorption of ulcers, and sometimes cancer in the initial stages.
- The enormous benefits of the juice are achieved due to the high content of vitamins and such valuable substances as phosphorus, iron, cobalt, magnesium, potassium in carrots. In addition, the root crop contains pantothenic and nicotinic acids and various trace elements.
- Regular consumption of fresh juice leads to the accumulation of vitamin A in the liver, which serves to cleanse and improve the body.
- Continuing the topic, it is worth noting the presence of vitamins B and C in the composition, which contribute to lowering cholesterol, which as a result makes it possible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- The carrot fresh brings great benefit to those who suffer from the weakened functioning of the thyroid gland, because there is a lot of iodine in the juice.
- Antioxidants contained in vegetables remove toxins from the body. As a result, there is an improvement in the condition of hair, nails and skin.
- But nevertheless, the most important property of the product is the prevention and treatment of problems associated with vision. The presence of beta-carotene can strengthen the retina and prevent the onset of astigmatism and cataracts.
However, the use of fresh in excessive quantities can lead to unpleasant consequences.
So, if the daily norm of carrot juice exceeds 0.5 liters, then it will be difficult for the liver to absorb a large amount of beta-carotene, and this will lead to organ disease. Also, an excessive amount can lead to yellowing of the skin of the face, hands and feet. It follows that the most optimal dose for daily use of fresh juice is 250 ml per day.
Contraindications
With great care, this product should include patients with diseases of the pancreas, intestines, peptic ulcers, as well as suffering from increased acidity of the stomach. And even better, if they completely refuse to use freshly squeezed juice.
Diabetics should also be very careful with carrot fresh, which must strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician.
An overdose of vitamin A will bring headaches, a feeling of nausea, and even vomiting to a healthy person. All these are clear signs of intoxication.
So, we found out that the standard rate of juice consumption is equal to one glass per day. Drinking is recommended from morning to meal.
Calorie content of carrot fresh and chemical composition
Nutrition value of 100 g of a product:
- carbohydrates: 12.6 g;
- proteins: 1.1 g;
- fats: 0.1 g;
- calories: 56 kcal.
The chemical composition of the juice is amazing - here is beta-carotene, which, once ingested, is converted into vitamin A, and calcium, and proteins, and vitamins of group B, PP, E, C, copper, iron and many other healthy elements.
Also in carrot juice is a high percentage of nicotinic acid. The lack of this substance can provoke the development of pathologies, accompanied by atrophy of the muscular system and dementia.
Magnesium is also present in the juice. It is worth noting that for vegetables this is a very rare element, but it is with its help that cholesterol is excreted. By the way, it is not in vain that doctors advise drinking a glass of drink in the morning, before the main meal - it will not only increase appetite, but also increase the secretion of gastric juice.
A little secret for great good
Nutritionists recommend consuming carrot fresh with cream or any milk fat-based product. The fact is that vitamin A is one of the soluble ones, and fat molecules must be present in the intestine to assimilate it.
Do not neglect this rule. After all, carrots, like most other vegetables and fruits, contain a huge amount of nutrients. Of course, they are human helpers on the way to the health of the body. But be sure to use the product, taking into account your own condition, otherwise the fresh will turn from a friend into an enemy.
Useful recipe: fresh with cream
For cooking, you will need to grate peeled carrots to get 150 g of pure product as a result. Pour 25 ml of water, stir and squeeze through cheesecloth. Before use, add 50 ml of cream. Healthy drink is ready!
Some recipes recommend adding sugar syrup to fresh carrot juice, so to speak, for taste. But it is better to do without this ingredient, because the vegetable itself is sweet, and the benefit of the drink from such an experiment can be reduced several times. If you still want to make a vitamin cocktail more enjoyable, then better pour a tablespoon of lemon juice.
Possible combinations
As practice shows, freshly squeezed carrot juice can and should even be mixed with other juices. Then drinks will supplement each other with vitamins, mineral salts and other useful components.
So, adherents of a healthy diet and experts recommend mixing:
- Carrot and apple. A classic of modern juice therapy, which is most relevant during the period of seasonal diseases. So that all components work to increase immunity, take a vegetable and fruit in a ratio of 2: 1.
- Beet. Thanks to her, the process of blood formation is normalized, the intestines work (especially if a person is prone to constipation) and a soft decrease in blood pressure occurs. 10 parts of carrot are mixed with the juice of one beet.
- Fresh carrot with pumpkin. The absolute leader in the content of beta-carotene. The ideal proportion is 1: 1. The resulting drink successfully fights extra pounds, will increase metabolism and improve digestion.
- Orange. One of the best energy smoothies to drink after waking up. Fragrant juice can be prepared without strict proportions, but we recommend that you focus on carrots. In any case, the amount of citrus should not exceed 50%.
Fresh feeding: is it possible or not
The age when a child can be given carrot juice is 12 months. In this case, it should be diluted with water until a weak taste is obtained, and the following rules should be followed:
- The drink should be natural and freshly squeezed (after 20 minutes, all the beneficial properties are reduced several times).
- Introduce into the diet gradually.
- Up to 2 years give crumbs no more than 50 ml.
- The frequency of consumption of carrot fresh - no more than 1 time per week.
Do not experiment with your baby. Until 6 months, children should only know the taste of breast milk, and after that you can slowly introduce complementary foods.
And finally
Doctors have found that any fresh juice should be drunk in a diluted form - so you will provide the body with maximum benefits. Pure drinks from fruits and vegetables are very concentrated and will harm the intestines and stomach due to the presence of a high percentage of acid. If there was no other type of juice, then you can replace it with ordinary boiled water.
The real vitamin “bomb” is a mixture of carrots and beets. But before adding the last ingredient, the drink must be infused for two hours.
Do not forget that the maximum shelf life of carrot juice is no more than 30 minutes. In other cases, instead of a healthy drink, you will get colored water.