Carrot

The beneficial orange vegetable did not always have this color. Historical sources state that its primary color was purple. Special Egyptians believe that it is portrayed in Egyptian tombs, dating back to 2000 BC. Their appreciation is based on paintings with large purple plants that look a lot like carrots, and papyruses with medical information have also been found, referring to the extensive pharmaceutical use of the vegetable. The ancient Greeks also cultivated it for therapeutic purposes and called it Filtron, Sisaron (found in the writings of the comic poet Epicharmus), “Grapes” (Hippocrates) and “Elafoboski” (Dioskourides). Since then the carrot has traveled to various Asian countries and then to Europe, where from the 13th century it began to grow systematically (mainly in France and Germany). Two centuries later Flemings introduced it to England.

There are several studies that the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease and one of these vegetables is the carrot as it contains the antioxidant ingredients carotenoids that reduce growth free radicals in the body.

Another study showed that smokers who didnt consume carrots, were three times more likely to have lung cancer compared to smokers who ate carrots more than once a week. Even better, a Japanese research has shown that β-carotene is associated with the prevention of colorectal cancer. Drinking carrot juice seems to kill leukemia cells and inhibit their growth, according to a 2011 study. In younger men, beta carotene may also act as a protective agent against cancer of the prostate, according to a Harvard study.  The benefits of the carrot, of course, extend beyond its anti-cancer properties. Specifically, in people with vitamin A deficiency, consuming foods that contain it like carrot can help with the visual problems that this deficiency creates. Of course, many research has confirmed that the benefits to vision can only be seen by people who are already suffering from the lack of this important vitamin, and will not improve anybody else’s vision any further. Finally, antioxidants and phytochemicals in carrots can help regulate blood sugar, delay the symptoms of aging, but also boost the immune system.