Scientifically Proven: Carrots Effectively Reduce Hip Fracture Risk  - Save Our Bones

Summer’s drawing to a close in the northern half of the globe, and while we have to bid farewell to swimming pools and water parks, we get to usher in a whole new season with its own activities and delicious foods.

One of these foods is the humble carrot, a root vegetable that’s in season from October to April. Of course, everyone is familiar with carrots, but the latest research has revealed some previously unknown facts about them: the beta-carotene content of carrots makes bones more fracture-resistant, and they contain a natural pesticide that helps prevent cancer.

We’re going to explore the health benefits of carrots including this insightful research in today’s post, and you’ll also find a new scrumptious recipe for enjoying these brightly-colored roots.

Colorful Carrots – Not Just Orange

Carrots are an ancient vegetable, cultivated for thousands of years in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Interestingly, these early carrots were not orange, but instead, they were yellow, purple, and red, with orange becoming the standard carrot color after the 16th century.

Carrot tops are green regardless of the variety, with a fern-like appearance resembling dill and fennel. But the vegetable is named for its long taproot – “carrot” is derived from the Greek word “karoton,” which refers to its horn-like shape. Speaking of names, the nutrient beta-carotene, which we’re going to look at in detail in a moment, was named for the carrot and not the other way around.

Carrots’ capacity for long storage makes them an economical choice, and organic varieties are quite affordable. This is important, because carrots rank #24 on the Environmental Working Group’s list of 48 fruits and vegetables with pesticide residue.

Nutrients In Carrots

Thanks to their excellent nutritional profile, carrots are a Foundation Food in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. In fact, these roots contain no fewer than 11 Foundation Supplements for building bone.

B Vitamins* (B9, B5, B3, B1, B2, B6 and B7)

B vitamins play a significant role in bone health. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) helps metabolize carbohydrates and benefits the brain and nervous system. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) boosts healing by stimulating red blood cells, and like biotin, it promotes healthy fingernails, skin, and hair. Vitamin B3 (niacin) serves a similar function. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), helps release energy from foods and is a component of coenzyme A.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) works with Vitamin B9 (folate) to lower levels of bone-weakening homocysteine. And in combination with B12 (cobalamin) and folate, it converts homocysteine into other, less harmful amino acids.

Also known as B7 or Vitamin H, biotin helps metabolize fats and proteins. It’s also been shown to increase the strength and integrity of fingernails as well.

Carrots contain B9 as well, or folate. It acts as a coenzyme with B12 and Vitamin C, playing an essential role in red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis.

Vitamin C*

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, plays an important role in the remodeling process, suppressing osteoclasts and stimulating osteoblasts. And its antioxidant action reduces inflammation and staves off oxidative damage to bones (more on antioxidants in a moment). Vitamin C is also crucial for the formation of collagen found in bone and cartilage.

Manganese*

Manganese is a trace mineral involved in the synthesis of connective tissue and proteins, and helps metabolize fatty acids. Manganese joins with copper and zinc to synthesize the antioxidant superoxide dismutase.

Vitamin K*

Vitamin K is required for the chemical alteration of osteocalcin into a calcium-binding protein. And MK-4, a form of K2, actually inhibits osteoclast formation. A great deal of research points to Vitamin K as indispensible for bones.

Vitamin E

Here is another vitamin that is also an antioxidant. Vitamin E contributes significantly to building muscle, and that’s an essential component in rejuvenating and maintaining strong bones.

Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte (meaning it helps regulate the balance of water inside and outside cells) as well as a powerfully alkalizing mineral, contributing to muscle growth and contraction and nerve function.

Copper*

Remarkably, copper is found in every tissue in the body. As mentioned above, it works with zinc and manganese to form a powerful trio that makes up superoxide dismutase. Copper performs many important functions in the body, including enzymatic processes that produce connective tissues like collagen.

Vitamin A

The term “Vitamin A” actually refers to a broad group of nutrients including lutein, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-, delta-, epsilon-, and zeta-carotene, astaxanthin, neoxanthin, and many more.

*Foundation Supplement

All the nutrition packed into one orange root is truly amazing! But there’s more – take a look at carrots’ antioxidant content.

  • Beta-carotene
  • Vitamin C
  • Lutein
  • Anthocyanidins such as cyanidins and malvidins
  • Coumaric acid
  • Caffeic acid
  • Ferulic acid

Speaking of beta-carotene, carrots rank second only to sweet potatoes as a source of this vital nutrient. Half a cup of sliced, cooked carrots has 78 grams of beta-carotene. This nutrient is, as noted above, one of many forms of Vitamin A. It’s excellent for skin health, and research shows that beta-carotene actually reduces fracture risk.

A study included 63,257 men and women over the age of 45 with a particular emphasis on lean, elderly men whose low Body Mass Index (BMI) put them at greater risk for hip fracture. Researchers examined the connection between carotenoids (including beta-carotene) and hip fracture risk, and they found that:

“…hip fracture risk decreased with increasing intakes of total vegetables and of total carotenoids, particularly β-carotene. The protective effect was higher in lean men than in men with higher BMI.”1

This is great news for those of us who love colorful fruits and veggies, including carrots!

Raw Vs. Cooked – Which Is Better?

Any time there’s a discussion of a nutrient contained in a food that can be enjoyed both raw and cooked, it makes sense to look into how that nutrient acts under various cooking conditions. Beta-carotene is released and made more bioavailable when cooked, but ironically, the longer carrots are cooked the more beta-carotene is lost – especially in water.

When baked or roasted without water, carrots lose only about 5% of their beta-carotene content, whereas boiling or stir-frying results in about 10-15% loss. So your best bet, if you like cooked carrots, is to use a cooking method that is fairly quick and does not involve much water. Of course, eating boiled or stir-fried carrots isn’t a bad thing at all; it’s just a good idea to balance consumption of carrots cooked this way with carrots cooked another way (or eaten raw, which is one of my favorite ways to eat them).

Another consideration in the raw vs. cooked discussion is beta-carotene supplementation. Back in 1994, a Finnish study ostensibly implicated beta-carotene supplements with increased cancer risk, but that study has since been debunked as flawed.

The subjects were smokers who smoked more than a pack of cigarettes a day for an average of 36 years each, and they were divided into three groups: one that took synthetic beta-carotene, a second that took synthetic vitamin E, and a third that received both. The fourth group received a placebo.

When the lung cancer rates increased among the beta-carotene group2, the public took this partial information and ran with it. Suddenly, “beta-carotene supplements cause cancer” became a widely-whispered phrase. But multiple key facts were not reported:

  • Incidence of prostate cancer actually fell among the beta-carotene-Vitamin E group
  • The study used only a tiny fraction (1/8th to 1/40th) of the Vitamin E dosage previously recommended to reduce cancer risk (a dosage based on more than 20 prior studies). And the Vitamin E was a less potent, synthetic form – dl-alpha tocopherol instead of d-alpha tocopherol (the latter is more bioavailable).
  • A mere 1/10th of the recommended cancer-reducing dosage of beta-carotene was administered.
  • The subjects were Finnish, a demographic with one of the world’s highest rates of alcohol consumption by smokers, and Finnish soil is extremely low in selenium, which works with Vitamin E to prevent cancer. If it’s not in the soil, it’s not in the foods grown in that soil.
  • The study began shortly after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and Finland received a heavy fallout – a distinct cancer risk increaser.
  • The supplements themselves were colored with a carcinogenic dye called quiniline yellow.

Therefore, there’s no need to worry about taking a reputable supplement with beta-carotene with a dosage of 5,000 IUs daily.

Naturally-Occurring Pesticide In Carrots Prevents Cancer

Danish scientists have made a fascinating discovery about carrots. They contain a compound called falcarinol, which acts as a natural pesticide while the carrot is growing in the ground. Falcarinol also acts as a fungicide, preventing fungal diseases like licorice rot (black spots on the roots).

To test this compound’s anti-cancer properties, researchers used 24 rats with pre-cancerous tumors. The rats were divided into three groups, and each group received a different diet. Two groups received either falcarinol or raw carrots in their regular feed; the third group ate a regular diet and served as a control.

The rats were fed these diets for 18 weeks, at which point the scientists found that both groups of rats that ate the carrots or the falcarinol were one-third less likely to develop full-blown cancer than the rats in the control group.https://saveourbones.com/scientifically-proven-carrots-effectively-reduce-hip-fracture-risk/3
Head study author Dr. Kristen Brandt states that:

“We already know that carrots are good for us and can reduce the risk of cancer but until now we have not known which element of the vegetable has these special properties.”3

Now here’s a delightful smoothie recipe that’s reminiscent of rich carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie

1 large serving
100% Alkalizing

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup sliced carrots, raw or lightly cooked
  • 1 ripe banana, room temperature or frozen
  • 1/2 scoop vanilla or unflavored whey protein powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup plain or Greek yogurt
  • Two or three ice cubes if your banana is room temperature (optional)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in your blender, and whirl until smooth.

Want More Ideas For Enjoying Carrots?

Carrots are delicious on their own, but variety is important for motivation and optimal nutrition. You’ll find all sorts of delicious carrot recipes in Bone Appétit, such as Carrot Craze Muffins (page 13), Bunny’s Carrot Soup (page 42), and Glazed Carrots (page 33).

If you like smoothies, then you’ll love Blender Magic, one of the bonuses that’s included with your order of Bone Appétit. Many of the smoothie recipes in Blender Magic include carrots, such as The A (apple) B (banana) C (carrots) on page 13, or Amber Delight on page 12.

Calcilicious, a collection of calcium-rich recipes, and the 30 Day Meal Planner which gives you a month’s worth of bone-smart meals and snacks, are also included. With more than 200 recipes, Bone Appétit covers all the bases so you can get started right away preparing bone-healthy meals.

Eat Your Way to Stronger Bones!

Discover over 200 mouth-watering bone healthy recipes for breakfast, smoothies, appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian dishes, fish, and plenty of main courses and even desserts!

Learn More Now →

Do you have a carrot recipe you’d like to share? If so, and for any other thoughts about today’s topic, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Till next time,

References:

1 Z. Dai, L-W Ang, W-P Koh. “Dietary carotenoids reduced hip fracture risk in lean men: the Singapore Chinese Health Study”. Osteoporosis Int. 2012 December Vol. 23 Suppl 7

2 “The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group.” N Engl J Med. 330. 15. (1994): 1029-35. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8127329

3 Kobak-Larsen, M., et al. “Inhibitory Effects of Feeding with Carrots or (-)-Falcarinol on Development of Azoxymethane-Induced Preneoplastic Lesions in the Rat Colon.” J. Agric. Food Chem. (2005). Doi: 10.1021/jf048519s.

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Barbara L Grove

    I have read conflicting information about astaxanthin supplements I have read that it inhibits calcium absorption in your blood and so I am reluctant to use it, but I would love to use it for it’s other benefits. What is your take on this?

  2. Dee

    Here’s a first for me. I only had enough carrots for one glass juiced. With quarter of a large pumpkin in the fridge, I juiced it / delicious!

  3. JT

    Hi, I tried this smoothie this weekend and it was very good. Being as I don’t love carrots it was a great way to get the benefits without that nothing but carrot flavor.

    But I have a question about the whey protein……it seems so controversial about whether or not it is good for you and how it can interact with other medications? I love the idea of it but admit I am also a bit worried about some of the stuff I read.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi JT,

      I understand – there are some contradictory recommendations out there.

      Whey protein contains free glutamic acid. It is an excellent protein, lactoferrin, and glutathione source. However, when consumed in excessive amounts, it could trigger a reaction in those sensitive to MSG. Additionally, hydrolyzed whey protein is sometimes used as a food additive, for example, in frozen dough. So just watch for it when it’s used as an additive.

      Of course, if you’re uncomfortable using whey protein, then it’s no problem to simply leave it out. 🙂 You’ll still get all the carrot benefits!

  4. karen

    We juice carrots, am I getting the same benefits, sans the fiber, from carrot juice? Thanks!

  5. Georgina Renaux

    Thank you Vivian for all your valuable information
    Kind regards
    Georgina

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You’re welcome, Georgina. 🙂

  6. karen

    Here is my question. We juice each morning, mostly of carrots with a bit of fruit. Am I getting all the benefits mentioned above from just the juice? I realize I am missing that fiber, but I get plenty of fiber in other ways. Thanks for your response, I enjoy the newsletters very much!

  7. Mona

    In India, we make a savory/spicy drink called ‘Kaanji’ from purple carrots. There are different recipes…I like spicy one made with salt, coarse ground mustard seeds and red chilli powder! You can check the recipe of Chef Sanjeev Kapoor ( beets are optional and it can be made in a glass jar covered with lid….has to be stirred every day or so and the jar has to be kept in the sun…it’ll taste sour/salty and spicy at the same time in about 7 days and you eat those carrots while enjoying the drink )!

  8. shula

    Thanks for the interesting information.

  9. Joann Johnson

    I too love carrots, but someone just told me that you should not eat the baby carrots because they bleach them, an then add color to make them look good. Have you ever heard anything like that??

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      While the claim that baby carrots are heavily bleached and dyed has not been substantiated (and has been debunked by some sources), if you have concerns in this area, you can always choose whole, organic carrots. Some grocery stores even carry bunches of carrots with the green tops still attached. 🙂

    • Mona

      Have not heard that ( enough contamination and depletion of soil already exists )! I know Baby carrots have less nutrients and more sugar ( compare them to a Baby and adult who has little more wisdom, but is less sweet )!

  10. Brenda

    Great article!! I always eat raw carrot sticks as my go to weight loss and energy food!! I make a raw carrot and frozen mango smoothie with just those ingredients and water. It’s simple and I find it tasty. Some people may need to add a little frozen ripe banana to sweeten it up. I’m a hard core carrot eater so I make it without the banana.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      That sounds delicious, Brenda!

  11. Kay Siewert

    My doctor is again trying to get me to use Forteo. She says it works differently than the others. Does anyone use forteo and how does it affect you? I am suspicious.

  12. Monica Milas

    I enjoyed this article – great information! I love roasted root veggies in the fall and winter, and will be sure to include lots of carrots.

    I tried posting this article to my Facebook page, and the content was blocked by Facebook. Just thought you’d like to know.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Thanks, Monica – we’ll look into that. 🙂 As far as roasted veggies go, I couldn’t agree more! Carrots are especially good prepared this way.

  13. April

    How about steaming as a cooking method? It seems to fit the cooking method suggestion “fairly quick and does not involve much water” better than baking or roasting which aren’t quick. Steaming my sliced carrots for 5 minutes makes them very sweet and flavorful.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      That sounds like a very tasty preparation method, April, that will preserve plenty of beta-carotene.

  14. Penny

    Are the baby carrots as nutritional as the full size carrots?

    • April

      Most packages of “baby cut carrots” are full size carrots cut into pieces and machine-processed to look like small ones. Same nutritional values, I believe. Go for the organic ones!

  15. Cheryl

    Glad to read carrots are so good for our bones!
    Here’s a link to a great raw carrot salad recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/carrot-salad-with-coriander-vinaigrette-and-pistachios

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Sounds delicious, Cheryl!

  16. maartje

    Nice article, love carrots
    It’s good to eat them with some fat (butter or oil for example)! Than your body can take out the vitamins (Vitamin A) better

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Yes, adding some healthful fat (such as olive oil) is a good was to ensure absorption of Vitamin A. You can add the fat to the carrots themselves, or eat them along with a fat-containing dish.

  17. Heidi

    Vivian, do you know if carrots also contain B17 (amygdalin)? Also, do you know of any reliable sources for B17-content of various foods?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Good question, Heidi. Vitamin B17, or amygdalin (laetrile in its modified form) is found primarily in the pits or kernels of apricots, but also occurs in the pits of plums and peaches to a lesser degree. The tiny seeds of raspberries and strawberries also contain some B17. But to answer your question, carrots are not a source of this controversial vitamin. 🙂

  18. Irit Rosenberg

    Interesting.

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