Carrot Powder – Preparation and Uses

The world’s population is increasing day by day. With the growing population, the people’s needs are also growing high. There are many new diseases budding every day. But today’s generation is too health conscious! Many of them want to use homemade remedies for all their problems. Here is such a product, Carrot Powder, that is being used all over the world. Since generations, parents have told their kids:

“Eat your carrots, they are good for health!”

“Carrots help you see in the dark!”

What is Carrot Powder?

Carrots are as one of the healthiest foods. These are rich in beta-carotene and bone health. The powdered form of carrots is Carrot powder. Carrot Powder has a mild, sweet and slight pepper flavour. That is why it blends with sauces and many more. It is also used as a flavouring agent in pasta. It is also used as a natural colouring agent for baked foods. It can be a healthy addition to any diet.

What are the Nutrients in Carrot Powder?

Carrot powder has many nutritional benefits. It contains almost all the vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E, K, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium are all available in carrot powder. All varieties of carrots contain valuable amounts of antioxidant nutrients. Listed below are some of the more common antioxidant nutrients found in carrots.

Here are some antioxidant nutrients in carrots

*Carotenoids – They help your body from the risk of eye diseases. There are over 600 known carotenoids. They are of two types. Xanthophylls (contains oxygen) and carotenes (purely hydrocarbons, contain no oxygen).

Carotenes are again two types:

*alpha-carotene

*beta-carotene

*lutein – This is a pigment that guards the body against the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are the unstable molecules that destroy cells and play a role in many diseases. It provides important vision benefits. It protects against atherosclerosis (build-up of fatty deposits in arteries). This disease leads to most heart attacks.

*Hydroxycinnamic acids – It acts as an antiseptic. It helps for healthy bones and blood.

*Caffeic acid – It has many anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral abilities. It helps to boost the performance of athletes.

• Carrot powder gives 41 calories per 100 g. It gives a negligible amount of fat and no cholesterol.
• They have a rich source of carotenes and vitamin-A.
• In the human body, carotenes convert into vitamin-A in the liver cells. Beta-carotene is the important carotene type present in carrots.
• Carrots are rich in polyacetylene antioxidant, falcarinol
• Carrot Powder is also good in vitamin-C
• It provides about 9% of RDA.
• It is also rich in many B-complex groups of vitamins. They include folic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), Thiamin, pantothenic acid, etc
• Carrot Powder composes of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.
• Beta-carotene is the most plentiful antioxidant nutrient. It accounts for over 95% of all carotenoids in many carrot varieties. Other carotenoids present in carrots include alpha-carotene and lutein.

Benefits of Carrot Powder

Carrot powder is used in natural cosmetic formulations. It repairs and tones the skin. It reduces wrinkles and scars. It improves circulation of blood. It increases elasticity and provides the skin with beta-carotene.

• It carries out all the functions of vitamin-A.
• It helps in maintaining good eye health, reproduction (sperm production).
• It helps in the maintenance of epithelial integrity, growth and development.
• A study found that falcarinol in carrots fights against cancer. It destroys pre-cancerous cells in tumours.
• Vitamin-C is water soluble antioxidant. It helps the body maintain healthy connective tissue, teeth, and gum. Its anti-oxidant property helps the human body to protect from cancer.
• Beta-carotene is one of the powerful natural antioxidants. It protects the human body from harmful free radicals.
• It acts as co-factors to enzymes during substrate metabolism in the body.
• Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids. It controls the heartbeat and blood pressure. The human body utilizes manganese as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme.
• It Improves anti-cancer immunity and helps to cure cancer
• It reduces cholesterol level in body and prevents cardiovascular diseases.
• In human body, the abundant carotene transforms into vitamin A under the action of enzymes.
• It helps to protect eyesight and prevent respiratory tract infections.
• It contains vitamin B and can resist free radicals. It also postpones aging and prevents excess grease secretion and maintains water-oil balance.
• It contains rich vitamin C and can whiten and moisten the skin as well as keep moisture and elasticity.
• Carrot powder gives 41 calories per 100 g. It gives a negligible amount of fat and no cholesterol.
• They have a rich source of carotenes and vitamin-A.
• In the human body, carotenes convert into vitamin-A in the liver cells. Beta-carotene is the important carotene type present in carrots.
• Carrots are rich in polyacetylene antioxidant, falcarinol.
• Carrot Powder is also good in vitamin C.
• It provides about 9% of RDA.
• It is also rich in many B-complex groups of vitamins. They include folic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, pantothenic acid, etc.
• Carrot Powder composes of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.
• Beta-carotene is the most plentiful antioxidant nutrient. It accounts for over 95% of all carotenoids in many carrot varieties. Other carotenoids present in carrots include alpha-carotene and lutein.

Uses in Cosmetics

1. People use carrot powder as a natural colorant in soap and other cosmetic products.
2. It has a tendency to clump, so it will need to be wetted with vegetable glycerin prior to adding to formulas.
3. Carrot powder is used in scrubs to provide a natural colour.
4. It is used to nourish the skin with vitamins and minerals.
5. It is used lotions, creams, and ointments.
6. It is used in facial masks
7. It is used in shampoo and conditioner formulas.
8. It is used in facial toner recipes
9. It is added to bath bomb recipes.
10. It is also infused in massage oils.
11. It helps in the treatment of the following diseases like

• Allergies
• Anaemia
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Immune Health
• Rheumatic Conditions
• Vision Improvement

Preparation:

The preparation procedure of Carrot Powder is very easy. Following very simple steps will help you in preparing fresh carrot powder.

1. Wash, peel and soak carrots in warm water for 30 minutes.
2. Slice the carrots into thin pieces.
3. Spread the carrots on a tray and place under the sun to dry for 8days.
4. Cover the tray with a net or a thin cloth to prevent insects and dust from getting into contact with the slice.
5. Grind it well on the fifth day and dry in the sun for 3 days.
6. Grind the powder again on the eighth day and sieve the carrot powder.
7. Transfer the remaining amount into mixer and grind again.
8. Store it in an air tight jar.

This is a very easy way to prepare the Carrot Powder. It helps in the healthy maintenance of your body. So, try to use Carrot powder as a part of your regular diet and stay healthy.

This is how carrots help your life. Next time, when kids ask if it’s true that carrots are good for their eyes, answer in the affirmative. Carrots are very high in vitamin A, an essential nutrient for good vision. Beta-carotenes can’t be manufactured in the body, they must be obtained from your diet. Carrots are rich in these. So, try to use Carrot powder as a part of your regular diet and stay healthy.