Man has been using carrots in cooking for a very long time. She is not whimsical in storage. It does not even need to be somehow prepared for consumption. This popularity is due to the high content of vitamin A in it, which helps to maintain excellent vision.
Historical reference
Carrots have become popular in Russia since the Middle Ages. It was used not only for gastronomic purposes, but also for decorative purposes. For example, older ladies liked to insert carrots into their hair along with the tops. The growth of carrot consumption in Russia began in the eighties of the last century. Then it was four kilograms per year per person. In the twenty-first century, science has advanced significantly and many interesting facts about this root crop have become known. In this regard, consumption has increased to seven kilograms per year per person.
Scientific evidence and medical observations
The vegetable was especially famous for the discovery of beta-carotene in its composition, which is split by an enzyme into two molecules of vitamin A. This vitamin is actively involved in the work of visual analyzers. Apparently, our parents had a presentiment of such a turn in the development of science and forced us to eat more carrots, convincing us that this would help us see better. The well-known term "Night blindness" appeared for a reason. There is a pathology of the same name, which consists in a lack of vitamin A. As a result, a person sees poorly at night.
Poultry suffers from this ailment. Carrots are not included in her diet, and in compound feeds there is catastrophically little vitamin A. If we take an eagle as an example, then the situation here is completely different. It is a bird of prey and its diet is 90% meat. She also does not disdain by-products, to which the liver belongs, and she is a unique source of this vitamin. Therefore, since ancient times, legends have been circulating about the vision of an eagle.
Knowing about the beneficial properties of carrots, parents try hard to feed their children with it, and then they are horrified when they notice their yellow palms. The reason for this is fat-soluble vitamin A (retinol), which, when in excess in the body, accumulates in adipose tissue. The palms are the place in the human body where adipose tissue is located close to the skin. There, the pigment, in addition to fat, also stains the surrounding skin. If this fact causes great concern for the parents, it is enough not to give the child vitamin A for several days, and then the palms will return to their usual color. If hypervitaminosis of retinol in children does not cause any consequences, then for adults it can turn into big problems. For men, daily consumption of large quantities of carrots threatens baldness. If a pregnant woman is addicted to carrots, this can result in a miscarriage.
How to choose and store
It is better to buy large carrots. The larger the root crop, the more nutrients it contains. The richer the color (up to dark orange), the more vitamin A. Vegetables must be washed and dried before storage. Store them in a plastic bag in a cool and dark place. It is not advisable to have apples nearby. They synthesize essential oils that impair the taste of carrots.
It is better to consume the root vegetable fresh. How you do this depends on your imagination: you can just gnaw it, use it in salads, make juice, etc. It is worth considering that the value of carrot juice is minimal. The fact is that it lacks coarse fiber, which is so highly valued. The value of boiled carrots is significantly reduced. Vitamin A is practically absent here. Carrots are sweeter and can contribute to weight gain. So the only option to get the maximum of nutrients from the root crop is to eat it fresh.
