“Carrots have the ability to increase the health of your skin, boost the immune system, improve digestion, increase cardiovascular health and detoxify the body

Yemisi Olowookere, a nutritionist with Garki Hospital, Abuja, on Thursday urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of consuming carrots as it could reduce cholesterol and prevent heart attacks.

Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that carrot also helps in warding off certain cancers, improving vision and reducing the signs of premature aging.

She said: “Carrots are very useful in diseases of the retina and of the eyes in general, skin disorders, gastritis, excess of gastric acid and in prevention of cancer.

“Carrots have the ability to increase the health of your skin, boost the immune system, improve digestion, increase cardiovascular health and detoxify the body.

“It also helps boost oral health in a variety of ways and provides a well-rounded influx of vitamins and minerals.”

Olowookere said carrots help to regulate the transit of stool and soothed the intestinal mucosa.

She said carrots contained essential oil active against intestinal parasites.

She added: “Carrot is an antioxidant betacarotene that gives carrots their bright orange colour.

“Beta-carotene is absorbed in the intestine and converted into Vitamin A during digestion.

“Carrots also contain fiber, Vitamin K, potassium, folate, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, Vitamin E and zinc.

“Carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A, providing 210 per cent of the average adult’s needs for the day.”

Olowookere said a carrot would provide six per cent of Vitamin C needs, two per cent of calcium needs and two per cent of iron needs per serving.

Olowookere said carrot was one of the most widely used and enjoyed vegetables in the world, partly because they grew relatively easily and were very versatile in a number of dishes and cultural cuisines.