Carrot (Gajar): Nutrition, Health Benefits, and Ayurvedic Importance

Carrot (Gajar): Nutrition, Health Benefits, and Ayurvedic Importance

Carrot, commonly known as Gajar in Hindi, is one of the most popular and nutritious root vegetables consumed around the world. Crisp, sweet, and juicy, carrots are loaded with essential nutrients and are especially known for improving eyesight, skin health, and digestion. Whether consumed raw, cooked, or juiced, carrots are a staple in both traditional Indian and modern kitchens.

Nutritional Value of Carrot

Carrots are rich in:
Beta-carotene (converts into Vitamin A in the body)
Vitamin K1
Potassium
Antioxidants
Fiber

100 grams of carrots contain approximately 41 calories, making it an ideal low-calorie snack. Its vibrant orange color is due to the presence of carotenoids, which also have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.

Top Health Benefits of Eating Carrots

Improves Vision: Carrots are best known for their role in promoting eye health due to their high Vitamin A content.
Boosts Immunity: Antioxidants and Vitamin C help strengthen the immune system.
Good for Skin: Carrot juice helps maintain glowing and healthy skin.
Aids Digestion: High in fiber, it supports a healthy digestive tract.
Regulates Blood Sugar: Carrots have a low glycemic index and help manage blood sugar levels.
Supports Heart Health: Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and reduces heart disease risk.

Carrot in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, carrots are considered tridoshic, meaning they balance all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—especially when cooked. Carrots are:
Sweet in taste (Madhura Rasa)
Warm in potency (Ushna Virya)
Beneficial for the eyes, liver, and blood purification
Gajar is used in Ayurvedic treatments to improve digestion, remove toxins, and support reproductive health.

Daily Uses of Carrots

Raw in salads
Cooked in curries, soups, and stews
Juiced for detox and skin health
Made into desserts like Gajar ka Halwa
Used in pickles and stir-fried dishes
Regular consumption helps maintain energy levels and improves overall health naturally.

How to Include Carrot in Your Diet

Drink fresh carrot juice on an empty stomach in the morning.
Add grated carrot to chapati dough or parathas.
Include in mixed vegetable dishes or pulao.
Prepare a sweet and rich gajar ka halwa during winters.
Add to smoothies for a nutritious twist.

Also known as-

Latin : Daucas Carota

English : Carrot, Bee's nest

Sanskrit : Garjarah

Hindi : Gajar

Marathi : Gajar

Tamil : Gajjarakkilangu

Telugu : Gajjaragadda

Malayalam : Karattu

Kannada : Gajjari

How it looks—It is a biennial herb with a branched erect stem and a yellow conical tap root. The leaves are thin and decompound and flowers small, white or yellowish. The fruits are long with bristly hairs.

What we use—Roots, seeds.

What it does—Tap roots—sweet, thermogenic, appetiser, digestive, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, expectorant. Seeds—aromatic, stimulant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, abortifacient.

How we use it—

To improve complexion—Drinking white radish and carrot juice at least twice a week to ensure a blemish-free complexion. They contain Vit-A and also act as diuretics flushing out toxins from the system.

In kidney disease—Carrot seeds should be made into a decoction and used every day to reduce swelling.

In excessive internal heat—Fresh carrot juice should be used regularly to revive the run-down system.

In eye trouble—Take the juice of fresh root in a cup. Mix it with 250gm of fennel and lOgm of sugar. Take this mixture with milk before going to bed.

In dysentery—Boil the roots and extract juice. Take juice one cup thrice a day.