Everyday health
Chantenay carrots are nutritional and protective powerhouses. They are rich in beta carotene which the body makes into vitamin A.
This is important in strengthening the immune system, keeping the skin, lungs and intestines healthy, promoting cell growth and aiding good vision. The beta carotene which is converted into vitamin A also acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals and therefore help to prevent degenerative diseases.
An 80g portion supplies more than the RDA of vitamin A. There is some truth in the old wives' tale that carrots help you to see in the dark since night blindness is one symptom of vitamin A deficiency. In the Second World War. Early radar stations were established along the south and east coasts of England in 1939 to detect aggressors in the air or at sea. The Germans attributed this sudden, remarkable night vision to the British habit of eating carrots. They weren't so far off the mark since the vitamin A in carrots forms retinol, a lack of which brings on night blindness.
Chantenay Carrots provide 6% of the RDA of vitamin E and 8% of the RDA of folic acid. According to the Food Standards Agency, they are also a good source of fibre.
Chantenay are rich in minerals such as calcium potassium, copper, folic acid and magnesium.
Chantenay are said to have sweetening, antianaemic, healing, diuretic, remineralising and sedative properties.
Carrots naturally produce phytochemicals to protect themselves against bacteria, viruses and fungi. There is a growing amount of evidence to suggest that they can help to protect against various types of cancer, heart disease and chronic degenerative diseases like cataracts and arthritis.
