We all know the importance of getting enough vegetables in our diet, but it’s not always easy to eat as many vegetables throughout the day as you need. If you or a loved one recognizes the nutritional need to eat vegetables, but just doesn’t want to sit down to a big plate of greens, consider juicing — it’s an easy, delicious way to get those valuable nutrients into your body.

Health Benefits of Carrots

Bugs Bunny’s favorite orange snack is packed with vitamins[1] including:

• Vitamin K

• Vitamin A

• Beta Carotene

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin B6

• Potassium

• Fiber

Carrots are also high in natural sugars — which makes their juice tasty and delicious — but also adds to your overall sugar intake so be mindful. While drinking your carrots in juice form provides less fiber than eating them whole, you can still get these nutritional benefits and more.

1. Antioxidants

   • According to a 2011 study, drinking carrot juice increases your body’s total antioxidant status[2]. Antioxidants are great for fighting cancer, inflammation, and more. One of the antioxidants provided by carrots is Vitamin A.

2. Heart Health

   • These antioxidants prevent oxidation damage to red blood cells, a type of damage called lipid peroxidation. In short, drinking carrot juice helps protect your cardiovascular health and heart health[2]. Potassium, also found in carrot juice, benefits heart health and reduces risk of stroke as well[5].

3. Strong Bones

   • As an excellent source of Vitamin K, carrot juice boosts your blood’s ability to clot and is vital for the maintenance of strong bones[3].

4. Better Eyesight

   • Carrot juice helps your eyesight because of the high levels of vitamin A it provides[4].

   • Beta carotene, a compound found in carrots more than any other vegetable, increases the body’s absorption of vitamin A.

5. Healthy Skin and Hair

   • In the beauty aisle at your drug store, you may have seen the ingredient “retinol” on skin creams and hair products. Retinol is another name for Vitamin A. While the evidence supporting applying retinol directly to hair is scarce, taking it in your diet helps your body produce healthier hair, and keep your skin soft and smooth[4].

How to Make Carrot Juice

Carrot juice is best if you make it at home, since packaged juice may be pasteurized, or have added preservatives. To make carrot juice, try a juicer like this one, or follow these instructions:

1. Chop the carrots and place in a blender or food processor.

2. Puree until very fine.

3. Dump the carrot mixture into a bowl lined with cheesecloth.

4. Gather the cheesecloth and squeeze out as much juice as possible.

5. Place the cheesecloth, and carrots, in a colander over the bowl of juice.

6. Allow to drip for 2 hours on the counter.

7. Add a small amount of carrot pulp to your juice for added fiber.

8. Discard the remaining pulp, or use it in your favorite smoothie.

9. Cover and refrigerate the juice for up to three days.

10. Share this article on facebook!

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