Superfoods – Carrots, sweet potatoes, and yams
Carrots, sweet potatoes, and yams Nature has a wonderful way of pointing to extraordinarily valuable foods. Deep orange, yellow and red colors indicate the presence of carotenoids, compounds that are associated with significant health benefits. Carotenoids with names likebeta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants. Alpha carotene, beta carotene, and beta cryptoxanthin can be converted by the body into Vitamin A.
Your grandmother knew that carrots were good for the eyes. We now know why. The lens and retina of your eyes actually contain lutein and zeaxanthin, and research suggests that consumption of carotenoid-rich foods may help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. (1) Carrots, sweet potatoes and yams also provide healthy amounts of beta carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and fiber.
- Mares-Perlman JA, Millen AE, Ficek TL, Hankinson SE. The body of evidence to support a protective role for lutein and zeaxanthin in delaying chronic disease. Overview. J Nutr. 2002;132(3):518S-524S.