Benefits

• Vitamin A has been shown to prevent cataracts and reduce the risk of glaucoma.
  
  

Deficiencies

• Research shows a deficiency in vitamin A can lead to poor night vision, inflamed eyes and even blindness.
  
  

Eating Carrots

• Cooked carrots (boiled, steamed or roasted) are best, although raw carrots are very beneficial. Just 1/2 cup of cooked carrots can provide four times the RDA of vitamin A.
  
  

Selecting/Storing

• Older and pre-cut carrots lose nutritional value. Look for firm carrots without cracks and with the (nonwilted) greens still attached. Remove greens before storing carrots to avoid depleting vitamins. Store carrots in a plastic bag in the fridge; use within 1 week.
  
  

Additional Benefits

• Beta carotene in carrots may help prevent certain types of cancer and heart disease. Carrots also contain alpha carotene which may help restrain tumor growth processes.
  
  

Fun Fact

• Worldwide, there are several hundred varieties of carrots that come in colors including purple, black and white.