Did you know that carrots are among the most widely consumed vegetables globally? Britain alone produces over 700,000 tonnes annually!
You will opine that a day can barely pass before you consume carrots either in cooked or raw form. Each day, there are myriads of recipes that are developed to make eating the vegetable more fun.
But did you know that eating too many carrots can turn your skin orange? Yes, you read that right!
Here is how it happens;
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene which is responsible for the orange color. When you excessively consumed, the pigment enters the bloodstream and is stored under your skin.
As a result, your skin will become orange; a condition known as carotenemia. However, you shouldn’t freak out when that happens since this condition is generally harmless.
What Amount of Carrots Can Lead to the Skin Turning Orange?
The ideal amount of carrots differs from one adult to the other depending on individual metabolism. However, an adult should not exceed eight milligrams of beta-carotene a day.
To get the condition, you will need to consume at least 20 milligrams of beta-carotene to develop carotenemia.
Who is More Susceptible to Carotenemia?
Children are more likely to develop carotenemia than adults. The yellow color is concentrated in the palm of the hands, soles of the feet, and around the cheeks.
Also, people suffering from the condition are likely to produce orange/golden sweat since the beta-carotene is largely excreted through the skin.
Why You Should Continue Eating Carrots
Having read about carotenemia, it’s likely that you’ll reduce your carrot consumption. However, you should never eliminate the nutritious vegetables from your diet entirely.
The beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A which boosts your immunity significantly while improving your vision. Additionally, carrots are rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, potassium, and vitamin C.
All these nutrients will improve your health significantly. And yes, they will help you achieve flawless skin!
Top Recipes to Use When Preparing Your Carrots Meals
Carrots can be consumed raw or baked depending on your preferences. Usually, the crunchy feeling associated with raw carrots is desirable.
Here are some recipes that will make you eat carrots without getting bored!
- Easy Ranch Baby Carrots
- Sweet Carrots with Tarragon
- Shaved Carrot Salad With Pistachio And Pomegranate Vinaigrette
- Roasted Carrots With Farro, Chickpeas And Herbed Crème Fraîche
- Ginger Carrot Soup
- Honey Roasted Maple Carrots
- Carrot Ginger Pork Buns
- Pomegranate Roasted Carrots with Feta and Brown Butter
- Moroccan Carrot Salad With Millet
- Garlic Roasted Carrots
Bottom Line
Carrots are nutritious and you should always include them in your meals. However, you should restrict your consumption to avoid getting carotenemia.
This article has provided some of the recipes that you can try out to revolutionize your carrot-eating experience.