A simple two-ingredient drink could offer a range of impressive health benefits, research suggests. Mixing carrot juice with turmeric spice could not only enhance your energy levels but also prevent inflammation and bolster the immune system.
An article by Argentinian news outlet Infobae delved into the health benefits of combining carrot and turmeric, which include: acting as a natural energy source, promoting good eye health and vision, protecting the immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, reducing the risk of chronic disease, reducing inflammation, boosting brain health, and improving skin health. But why is this?
Carrots
Carrots are known to be rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which is crucial for eye health. Regular consumption can help ward off vision problems, particularly those related to macular degeneration and night blindness.
A 2013 study published in the Ophthalmology journal stated that taking beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc may have long-term effects against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – an eye condition that can blur your vision. The seven-year study found that taking zinc with a combination of antioxidants, including beta carotene, reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD in participants by 25 percent.
Furthermore, carrots are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K and fibre, all contributing to the health of the immune, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Beta-carotene is not only good for the eyes.
It’s also an antioxidant that tackles oxidative stress, slashing chronic disease risk. This year, the World Allergy Organisation Journal published findings linking high antioxidant diets with fewer chronic respiratory conditions in adults. What’s more, according to Infobae, carrots’ fibre content boosts gut health, aids digestion, and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Turmeric
Turmeric is not just a staple in Asian cuisine but a powerhouse of health benefits. It contains curcumin – its primary compound – known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant prowess.
As reported by Infobae, turmeric may significantly lower inflammation, offering relief from arthritis to muscle pains and serious inflammatory conditions. A meta-analysis referenced in the British Medical Journal suggests turmeric consumption can ease knee osteoarthritis symptoms, stating: “Compared with placebo, there appears to be a benefit of turmeric on knee osteoarthritis pain and function.
“Based on a small number of studies the effects are similar to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” Furthermore, turmeric is believed to support brain function and potentially reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.
A 2008 study from India discovered that curcumin lowered beta-amyloid levels – a protein that accumulates to form brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s – in mice. According to the study: “The levels of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice that were given low doses of curcumin were decreased by around 40 percent in comparison to those that were not treated with curcumin. In addition, low doses of curcumin also caused a 43 percent decrease in the so-called ‘plaque burden’ that these beta-amyloid have on the brains of AD mice.”