Today I would like to tell you about the properties of carrots and the benefits of eating a raw carrot or two a day. Not the baby ones but the large or medium-sized ones, which cost very little and are available all year round. They should be eaten raw, peeled and washed or even raw, peeled, washed and cut.
Why is eating one raw carrot a day beneficial to health?

Why eat one or two raw carrots a day. 

Many demonize carrots because they think they are too sugary. In fact, 100 grams of raw carrot only provides 41 calories and has nearly a gram of protein, with less than 10 grams of carbohydrates. Only half of these carbohydrates are sugars (halfway between glucose and fructose, starch), and nearly 3 grams are of fiber. Fiber and protein, plus 88% water, slow down the absorption of sugars, which in any case are equivalent to less than a teaspoon of sugar.

So, as you can see, carrots are neither sugary nor too rich in carbohydrates. If we eat them cooked, we absorb a few more grams of starch, and we lose the benefits of fiber which, as you will understand, are essential.

Properties of carrots.

The fibers of raw carrots have strong antibacterial and disinfection properties of the intestinal tract. They contain carotenoids, anthocyanins and as many as 3 hydroxycinamic acids that reduce cholesterol, blood sugar and high blood pressure. It was found that those who consumed 50-75 grams of raw carrots per day had fewer cardiovascular risks. Another study found that 180 grams of raw carrots per day effectively reduce bad cholesterol and high triglycerides. 

Raw carrots contain substances, derived from fatty acids, which are called polyacytylenes : these are the substances that have important antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and antifungal and immunostimulating properties.

By cooking them we would absorb more beta-carotene, but I do not recommend it, because this would be the only advantage, while we would lose many antioxidants which are the ones that make the difference. The other advantage is that when cooked they have an anti-diarrheal function, while when raw they do the opposite, they regularize. This is because the composition of the fibers changes.

Carrots are among the vegetables that are least affected by pesticide attack, so they are quite safe even when eaten raw. In addition, raw carrots are useful in preventing migraines and fighting nervous hunger.

Last but not least, raw carrots have important antiestrogenic properties.

They are for example indicated in women with a family history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer, as established by an important meta -analysis , and in all women (but also in men, due to excessive aromatase) who have high estrogens. If you have long, painful periods and suffer from PMS, a carrot a day in the two weeks leading up to your period can be of great help.