Some experts believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins may be even stronger than those of aspirin.Įye Health Protecting Qualities. Research suggests that anthocyanins have strong anti-inflammatory properties which might help alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Research also suggests that lutein, the main carotenoid in purple carrots, may provide protection against colon cancer. A group of researchers from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Maryland analyzed the chemopreventive effects of anthocyanin extracts from various natural sources against colon cancer, and found that all anthocyanin extracts were capable of inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells. Thanks to their antioxidant properties and other chemical characteristics, the anthocyanins in purple carrots may provide the following health benefits:Īnti-Carcinogenic Effects Against Colon Cancer Cells. Considering the significant amounts of anthocyanins in purple carrots, it is not surprising that purple carrot varieties, such as Purple Haze, have been shown to have stronger antioxidant activity than their yellow and orange counterparts. In laboratory studies, these plant pigments have been shown to exert extremely strong antioxidant effects (even stronger than vitamin E analogues).
While vitamin C and carotenoids, such as lutein, certainly contribute to some of the health benefits of the purple carrot, most of the health-protecting power of this newly rediscovered superfood can be attributed to anthocyanins. The Extraordinary Health Benefits of Purple Carrots Fact 3: Purple carrots contain higher amounts of phenolics (especially anthocyanins) and show higher antioxidant capacity than their orange and yellow counterparts.By contrast, in orange carrots, beta-carotene is the dominating carotenoid (65%). Fact 2: In yellow and purple carrots, lutein represents almost half of the total carotenoids.Fact 1: Orange carrots contain the highest levels of total carotenoids, but also purple cultivars such as Purple Haze contain significant levels.That said, there are some substantial nutritional differences between purple/black and orange/yellow carrots: Furthermore, all carrots (except the white cultivars) are good sources of carotenoids. Nutrition Facts for Purple Carrots (vs Orange and Yellow Cultivars)Īll carrots are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Here's a list of some of the most common purple and black carrot varieties: However, in recent years, small-scale farmers growing organic carrots have also shown interest in heirloom varieties, including purple and black carrot cultivars. Today, orange carrot cultivars – such as Adelaide, Scarlet Nantes, Danvers, Imperator, Flyaway, Infinity, Chantenay, and Navajo – are dominating the markets. In fact, purple carrots were the dominating carrot variety until the 17th century when Dutch farmers developed the modern day orange carrot by crossing various cultivated and wild carrots. Most carrots were originally deep purple, almost black, with red and white varieties occasionally popping up. Cultivated Carrots Were Originally Purple, Almost Black
In this article, we first take a brief look at the history of the purple carrot and then provide an overview of the nutrition facts and health benefits of this humble superfood. For those who don't have a background in nutritional sciences, anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that give many blue, purple, and black vegetables and berries their intense hues and strong health-boosting properties. While purple carrots provide many of the same health benefits as orange carrots, they also offer some extraordinary nutritional benefits due to their high concentration of anthocyanins. Purple Carrots: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefitsĭid you know that before the 17th century, almost all cultivated carrots were deep purple, almost black, in color? Today, the purple carrot is making a comeback as health-conscious consumers are showing interest in this funky-looking heirloom vegetable.
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