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Carrots
May help prevent: cancer, cataracts, heart disease, high blood pressure, infection, macular degeneration.

Carrots are low in calories with just 31 calories per seven inch carrot stick. All it takes is one carrot to supply enough beta-carotene to meet your daily requirements for vitamin A, making carrots one of the best dietary sources of beta-carotene. This powerful antioxidant boosts the immune system, is vital to eyesight, and fights infections. Preliminary research also indicates that vitamin A is essential for learning and memory. Almost all epidemiological studies show that regular consumption of beta-carotene rich foods reduces the risk of developing cancer. Numerous other studies have shown that regular consumption of carrots (5- 7 carrots per week) dramatically lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Although beta-carotene gets all the credit, alpha-carotene another carotenoid found in carrots is ten times more effective in beating the battle against cancer. In addition, carrots contain a terpenoid to further the cancer-fighting properties and credit its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties to the flavonoid called apigenin. This team of phytochemicals also works together to build healthy skin, tissue, and teeth. Although carrots contain more natural sugar than other vegetables, the fibre found in carrots prevents the sugar from rushing into the bloodstream and creating insulin spikes.

Action Tip: Choose carrots with rich orange colour, as the deeper the orange colour, the richer the phytochemical content. Enjoy carrots sticks or baby carrots as an anytime snack, salad brightener, or dipping stick. Add sliced or grated carrots to stir-fries, stew, soup, pasta sauce or casseroles.