A new study from Alabama’s Samford University has highlighted how the simple act of consuming baby carrots can help with everything from skin health to immune response.
Most of us understand that fruits and vegetables are integral to our overall health. While supplements can help to fill in the gaps, and sometimes even aid in multiple areas, diet is a major factor in ensuring you live a long and healthy life.
Sometimes, simple is best
Before you fill your Amazon basket with various supplements that you might not need, think back to the last time you ate a carrot. If you’re struggling to remember, then research from Alabama might be of interest.
Mary Harper Simmons, a Master of Science in Nutrition student at Samford University, is set to present her findings at the NUTRITION 2024 meeting in Chicago this week. There, she will tell colleagues about the interesting link between baby carrots and carotenoid levels.
Carotenoids, which are only gained through consumption, are the compound responsible for the signature reddish color in vegetables like carrots. Increased Carotenoid levels are associated with a number of effects including increased antioxidant protection, a lower risk of cancer, and a lower risk of chronic disease.
“Previous studies have demonstrated that skin carotenoid levels can be increased by consuming three times the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables every day for three weeks,” said Mary Harper Simmons, a Master of Science in Nutrition student at Samford University. “Our findings suggest that a small, simple dietary modification — incorporating baby carrots as a snack — can significantly increase skin carotenoid accumulation.”
Over four weeks, 60 participants were sorted into different groups and assigned either carrots, apple slices, a multivitamin supplement, or a combination of them all.
Scientists identified the best course of action
Throughout the study, skin carotenoid levels were tested using a handy device called the VeggieMeter. They soon found that carotenoid levels were higher when taken with an equal supplement.
“We found that the combination of baby carrots and a multivitamin supplement that contains beta carotene can have an interactive effect on skin carotenoid accumulation,” said Simmons. “To get a beneficial effect, people should choose a multivitamin that contains beta carotene, and remember to eat baby carrots at least three times a week.”
