A carrot smoothie is not only inexpensive and easy-to-make, but it is also loaded with beneficial vitamins and minerals, making it a great beverage to include in an individual’s diet. It is made by blending carrots, water, and ice with one or more fruits and vegetables, such as apricots and apples as well as baby spinach and ginger. High in beta carotene, carrots provide the body with a rich source of vitamin A, as well as vitamins C, B3, and K, and are known to have many health benefits including eyesight improvement, detoxifying the liver and skin, and reducing the risk of certain types of cancers, stroke, and heart disease. First originating in the Mediterranean areas, carrots have been popularly consumed since the time of the Ancient Greeks and have proven to be a great source of dietary fiber.
Making a carrot smoothie is as simple as deciding what ingredients to include with the carrots, and combining all of the ingredients in a blender until the mixture is smooth and runny in consistency. There are many variations in recipes and it really is a matter of individual taste, however some carrot smoothie variations include adding either apricots or apples. To make a carrot-apricot smoothie, two diced carrots and two diced apricots are combined with half a diced cucumber and some baby spinach to taste. Half a cup of water and some ice cubes are then added, and all of the ingredients are blended for approximately two minutes, or until combined. The carrot-apple version of the smoothie is made in much the same way, however one diced apple is used in replacement of the apricots.
A carrot smoothie can be cool and refreshing, especially in the hotter months, although that’s not to say that it can’t be transformed into something a little spicier to have on a cold, winter’s day. By adding a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger to your carrot shake, not only will you feel a little warmer on the inside, but you will also gain the added health benefits that ginger provides. This may include relieving nausea, and potentially reducing inflammation and pain.
Believed to first be cultivated by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, carrots and carrot juice have continued to be a beneficial source of nutrition, while potentially reducing the risk of many bodily ailments. Beta carotene is known to protect against macular degeneration and cataracts occurring in the eyes, while vitamin A flushes the liver, therefore providing detoxifying and cleansing benefits to the body and skin. Furthermore, a natural pesticide found in carrots called falcarinol has been noted to have anti-cancer properties which may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, colon, and lung cancer.