Carrots are tasty vegetables that come in a variety of colors. Purple carrots are especially eye-catching and provide unique health benefits specific to purple fruits and vegetables. Blood orange varieties types of carrots are highly nutritious, but purple carrots are especially rich in powerful antioxidants known to fight inflammation and benefit certain health conditions.
This article reviews the benefits of purple carrots and gives you tips on how to add these vibrant vegetables to your diet. Though most people envision an orange vegetable when picturing a carrot, carrots were originally purple or white. The modern, orange carrot likely originated from a new breed of yellow carrots, which were developed as a result of a genetic mutation. Red and purple carrots are considered Eastern varieties, while yellow, orange, or white carrots are known as Western-type carrots. The Eastern-type carrots have been largely replaced by the orange Western types that are common in today’s grocery stores.
What makes purple carrots nutritionally unique is their content of the antioxidants anthocyanins. Antioxidants like anthocyanins help protect your body from oxidative stress, which refers to an imbalance between reactive molecules called free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Summary Purple carrots are loaded with nutrients like fiber and potassium. In addition, like other other purple fruits and vegetables, they contain potent antioxidants called anthocyanins, which benefit your health. Anthocyanins are polyphenol antioxidants that have many impressive health benefits. Diets high in anthocyanin-rich foods — such as purple carrots — may protect against certain health conditions, especially those related to inflammation. Anthocyanins act as anti-inflammatory agents by reducing potentially harmful compounds like pro-inflammatory cytokines.