Six Colors of Carrots and Their Health Benefits
All of us know that carrots are good for vision and immunity. There are various colors of carrots due to the presence of various pigments in them. And different colors of carrots have different health benefits.
Carrots are a wonderful source of vitamin A. They are also good source of many minerals like potassium, manganese, folate, phosphorus, magnesium etc. and vitamins like B1, B3, B6, C and K. They are very good source of dietary fiber.
Orange Carrots
These carrots originate from Europe and the Middle East. Orange carrots are rich source of beta carotene and some amount of alpha carotene.
Health Benefits
- Orange carrot enhances the efficiency of eyes
- The alpha carotene in orange carrots inhibits the growth of tumors
- It regulates blood sugar levels
Red Carrots
These carrots originate from India and China. Lycopene is present in red carrots.
Health Benefits
- Red carrot prevents cardio vascular diseases
- It reduces degenerative diseases
- Red carrot also prevents the risk of various cancers particularly prostate cancer
Purple Carrots
These carrots originate from Turkey and the Middle East. These carrots are rich source of beta carotene and anthocyanins.
Health Benefits
- Yellow carrot is a powerful anti oxidant
- It also prevents heart diseases
- It is a good anti-inflammatory agent
Yellow Carrots
Yellow carrots originate from the Middle East. They contain xanthophylls and lutene.
Health Benefits
- Yellow carrots prevent the risk of atherosclerosis
- It fights against the macular degeneration
- It prevents lung cancer
Black Carrots
These carrots originate from Turkey and the Middle East. These have anthocyanins.
Health Benefits
- Black carrot acts as inhibitor of bad cholesterol (LDL)
- It has many anti-bacterial properties
White Carrots
White carrots originate from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. These carrots actually lack the pigment, hence the presence the white color.
Health Benefits
- Though the white carrot is considered as having the least health benefits due to lack of pigment, the other compounds like phytochemicals in these carrots reduce the risk of cancer and stroke
- The dietary fiber in these carrots fight against colon cancer
Liked it
Moses Ingram | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Great article. I had no idea there were so many varieties.
IcyCucky | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Whoa..black and purple carrots? I haven’t seen these before..Great article Valli..
valli | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for your encouragement Moses and Icy.
Juliane Elliott | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
I had no idea! Great article!
lanne | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Being a Food Network junkie, I have seen these used several times, but cant find anyplace that sells them. I have tried the red and the white and well….they are carrots. I cant help but think that the purple and black might be more flavorful. Nice article!
Anne Lyken-Garner | Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
Purple and black carrots? Wow, I never even knew they existed.
L F Calland | Aug 2, 2008 | Reply
I’m in the same place as Anne Lyken-Garner’s. I never knew there were purple and black carrots; the purple one doesn’t even seen natural. It must be a radioactive carrot.
Great article, valli. I will try the aparently less dangerous carrots.
Nicole | Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
Me too! I never knew purple and EVEN black carrots exist
Aventurine Lee | Jan 27, 2010 | Reply
From the chinese point of view, white carrot is heat relieving. So if you are heaty, eat more white carrot.
Jon | Feb 24, 2010 | Reply
Purple carrots health benifits?
Ashleigh | May 26, 2010 | Reply
The black ones look like copped off fingers
cueen titus | Nov 19, 2010 | Reply
red carrot serves as a viagra as well, try it, it works like a 20valve
shaniya | Mar 22, 2011 | Reply
this is a really good artical. this helped me with my homework.
well done who wrote this.
Monique | Dec 6, 2012 | Reply
Never new there was so many colors,went to the market tried for the heck of it purple & yellow,they tast great the purple is my favorite going back to get more!