Are Carrots Bad For You?
Also Known As: daucus carota subsp. sativus
Short answer
No, carrots are not bad for you.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Is It Bad For You has a separate post that looks at claims made about baby carrots - mainly, that they're soaked in chlorine and therefore dangerous. Those claims are mostly false. But what about regular carrots? Are they dangerous?
Probably not. Carrots are rich in a chemical called carotenoids. They give them their orange color. They're also chemicals where your body can get retinol. That's a form of Vitamin A that keeps your eyes working right. Beta-carotene can also lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Carrots also have alpha-carotene, which some research suggests has similar antioxidant properties. You get the most of these nutrients, however, if you cook your carrots as opposed to eating them raw.
Vegetarians, the very young, and those with light complexions may be worried about carotenosis. That's a condition that can come from the ingestion of too much carotene. Your skin might take on a slight orange cast. The condition is harmless and easily reversible.
It is in almost all cases, at least. There's at least one recorded case of a man overdosing on carrots - rather, of a man overdosing on vitamin A via carrots. Basil Brown consumed 10 gallons of carrot juice and exceeded FDA limit for vitamin A intake ten thousand times over in a week and a half. His liver failed and he died. If you're thinking about drinking 10 gallons of carrot juice, think of Basil Brown instead.
Carrots do have some sugar in them. Keeping sugar at a healthy level in your diet is important to your teeth, your heart, and your waistline. There's not significantly more sugar in carrots than in other vegetables, however. And that sugar is blunted by a healthy dose of fiber, which helps protect your cardiovascular system from a sudden rush of digested sugar and is vital to the health of your gut.
Carrots are grown different ways by different farms. Some may have been grown with pesticides or herbicides. Others may have different soil bacteria before they've been washed. Remember to practice common-sense food safety and to rinse your carrots of dirt, bacteria, and agricultural chemicals before cooking with them.
Possible short-term side effects
- vitamin a toxicity (when consumed in extreme amounts)
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- promotes healthy skin and eyes
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reduces risk of cancer
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reduces risk of heart disease
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reduces risk of stroke
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slows the aging process
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boosts the immune system
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assists cleanse the liver of toxins
Healthier alternatives
- cooked carrots, instead of raw
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