Carrots are packed with goodness and they were initially grown as medicine for treating a variety of conditions, but what specifically makes carrots good for the complexion? Carrots will help supply your body with nutrients such as vitamins A, vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, antifungal, and antibacterial substances that are vital to the skin and particularly ideal for people who suffer from acne.
Carrots contain carotenoids which effectively cures skin problems which occur due to excessive sun exposure. They also help with the detox process of liver, resulting in clean blood. Toxic blood of course gives us bad skin so when our blood is purified, our skin glows! It has been proven that people who consumed fresh carrots every day for 6 weeks achieved a clear, better complexion.
Beta-carotene, found in carrots, is a skin-friendly nutrient that is converted to vitamin A inside the body. Low vitamin A intake has been associated with many skin problems, including acne, rashes, eczema and psoriasis. It also helps in repairing the skin tissues and provides protection against the sun’s harsh rays. The antioxidants and carotenoids protect and condition the skin to increase its immunity against the sun and heal sunburns. The journal “Photochemistry and Photobiology” reports that 10 weeks of beta-carotene supplementation provides an SPF of 4 and that every additional month of supplementation increases protection.
The consumption of carrots keeps your skin healthy and vibrant as they are loaded with Vitamin C. Vitamin C provides potent antioxidant protection, shielding skin from damaging free radicals—those pesky rogue molecules that promote premature aging. It also helps boost healthy collagen production and can reduce inflammation and irritation, both of which cause a cascade of damage
The deficiency of potassium can lead to a dry skin. Carrots are rich in potassium. Hence, drinking carrot juice can prevent this problem and keep your skin hydrated.
Research out of St. Andrews and Bristol Universities finds that people who eat a diet rich in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables develop a warm yellow skin tone, which makes them appear healthier and more attractive to others. There are popular stories about people’s skin turning orange from eating too many carrots and many people wonder if the stories are true. They are, and the “International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition” reports that overindulgence can turn your skin and the whites of your eyes to tints of orange and yellow. Researchers determined that ingesting 20 milligrams of beta-carotene per day, which is the equivalent of three 8-inch carrots, is sufficient to pose a risk. But in moderation, it can provide a desired glow.
Additional Health Benefit: Cleanses the body with the vitamin A present as it assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fibres present in carrots help clean out the colon and hasten waste movement.
It is important to note, like with any food, in moderation is key. To find out how much nutritional intake is recommended by the FDA Food and Drug Administration check out their website – http://www.fda.gov/default.htm