The Wonders of CARROT JUICE

Carrot juice, because of its many healthful benefits, is frequently called a the "miracle juice." A large number of people--throughout the United States and in all walks of life--suffering from various ailments have found that the inclusion of carrot juice in their diet has greatly improved their health. Countless others have found it to be a valuable "protective" agent in the building and maintenance of health in both children and adults, while its delicious flavor makes it popular with all members of the family as a beverage---plain or combined with other juices.

Carrot juice is one of the richest sources of vitamin A that can be used in the daily diet. It also ranks high as a source of the other vitamins, especially those of the B complex. Its mineral content is equally rich, and includes calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, and iron.

The vitamin A content of carrot juice helps to strengthen the eyes. In many cases where defective eyesight was noted--as during the war--the condition was overcome by fortifying the diet with fresh carrot juice.

One of the first evidences of vitamin A deficiency may be noted in the difficulty of adjusting the sight in a dim light, as in entering a dark room, or theatre, from a brightly lighted hall. A more serious symptom is the inability to regain focus of the road after the glare of passing automobile headlights. This sight defect is known as "night blindness," or "glare-blindness," and has been the cause of many serious accidents.

Vitamin A is essential in keeping the mucous membranes, which line all the cavities of the body, in healthy condition. The membrane is a thin layer of involuntary muscle fibers, which are extremely pliable and elastic. The vitality of this lining depends upon an adequate supply of vitamin A. When a deficiency of vitamin A exists the cells harden and degenerate into a horny rough surface, obstructing the normal function of the secretion of the disinfectant mucous. Infections resulting from vitamin A deficiency may affect the bladder or kidneys, the alimentary tract, the mouth, tonsils, sinuses, the tongue, ear canal, eyes or tear ducts.

Vitamin A promotes growth of bones and teeth, the maintenance of healthy body tissues, and the maintenance of normal glandular functions. It aids in the resistance to infections.  Vitamin A is especially necessary in the diet of expectant mothers to build up and maintain the health of both mother and the developing child.   Fresh carrot juice should be included in the diet not only during pregnancy, but also during the period of nursing the baby.

In addition to those already mentioned, some of the symptoms which have been traced to vitamin A deficiency are: dry, scaly and rough skin, especially on the arms and legs; intestinal disorders and diarrhea; poor appetite; retarded growth; lack of vigor loss in weight and physical weakness; atrophy of the glands; poor development of teeth through defective formation of enamel and dentine--and poor gum structure, and may also be a causative factor in cases of sterility; nerve degeneration and stones in the kidney and bladder.

When changes occur in the tissues because of vitamin A deficiency, the natural protection against bacteria is removed and the tissues become diseased. An adequate intake of vitamin A--especially in carrot juice-will help overcome infection.

Another vitamin contained in carrot juice is vitamin E. This vitamin appears in three forms, known chemically as alpha-, beta-, and gamma-tocopherol, and commonly known as the vitamin E complex. In animal experimentation, vitamin E has been found to affect reproduction. When foods bearing this vitamin were fed to animals that had failed to reproduce, their sterility was overcome.

In a recent study, when cancer tissue was placed in a vitamin-E-rich blood serum, the cancer tissue did not grow. When a blood serum lacking vitamin E as used in a similar test, the cancer cells divide normally in the presence of vitamin E. When this vitamin is lacking, healthy cell division does not occur and cancer cells are permitted to grow. Other tests brought out the fact that where experimental animals were fed food rich in vitamin E they resisted cancer, whereas those fed foods lacking this vitamin developed a cancerous condition.

Because of its rich vitamin and mineral content and other valuable nutrients, the daily diet should be fortified with the protective and healthful benefits of carrot juice. It can be taken alone, or combined with other vegetables juices.

Source: http://www.living-foods.com/articles/carrotjuice.html

Preparing Carrots for Juicing

The amount of carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the liver) contained in carrots is indicated by the depth of the coloring matter. The large, firm, dark-yellow carrots, therefore, should be selected for juicing, rather than the light-yellow ones, because of their greater carotene content.

Wash carrots thoroughly in cold water, using a stiff vegetable brush. Scrape lightly, but do not peel, as valuable vitamins and minerals lies close to the surface. The juice should be taken immediately it is made, if at all possible. If not, let the juice flow directly into glass jars, which should then be covered with screw-on lids. After pouring the quantity to be used immediately, keep the remaining juice-tightly covered--in the refrigerator to prevent loss of vitamin and mineral content through oxidation.

Carrot juice blends with practically all other juices. It is a delicious nourishing beverage for all members of the family at all times and it should be an important part of the diet in cases of illness.