Drug Compare

Category

Alternate Title

Synonyms

Alpha- carotene, anthocyanins, beta- carotene, carotenoid, carotenoids, carrot cake, carrot jam, carrot juice, carrot puree, carrot soup, Daucus carota, dietary fiber, grated carrots, lycopene, lycopene red carrots, myristicin, purple carrots, red carrots, Umbelliferae (family), vitamin A, white carrots.

Background

Carrot (Daucus carota) is a well- known root vegetable. The thick tap root's color can range from white to orange to red or purple. This change in color represents the nutrients in the carrot because some pigments, such as beta- carotene and lycopene, are also nutrients.

Carrot probably originated around Afghanistan where there is the greatest variety of carrots today. Usually only the root is consumed, although the leaves are also edible. Although primarily used as a food source, carrots have also traditionally been used to treat infantile diarrhea. Carrot roots have been used to treat digestive problems, intestinal parasites, and tonsillitis. Other potential uses include vitamin A deficiency, antioxidant activity, constipation, and anemia. More research is need in all of these areas as the currently available research is of low quality.

Evidence

Acute diarrhea: A carrot- rice based rehydration solution may decrease the duration of diarrhea when compared to two conventional rehydration solutions. However, more research is needed.
Grade: C

Antioxidant: Carrot ingestion may have antioxidant activity, although more research is needed in this area.
Grade: C

Vitamin A deficiency: Carrot jam may improve growth in young children with vitamin A deficiency. Although the results seem promising, more research is needed.
Grade: C

Tradition

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)

There is no proven effective dose for carrots. However, 100 grams of grated carrots daily for 60 days has been used to improve vitamin A status in breastfeeding women in one study.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven effective dose for carrots in children.

Safety

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to carrot. Carrot pollen contains an allergen that is similar to the birch pollen allergens. Because of this similarity, patients allergic to birch pollen may have allergic reactions to carrot as well. Several other plants also have similar allergens, including apples, stone fruits, celery, carrot, nuts, orange, lychee fruit, strawberry, persimmon, zucchini, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), pear, potato, spices, nuts, mustard, Leguminoseae vegetables, and soybeans. Food allergy symptoms include hives, swelling, skin rashes, asthma, diarrhea, or anaphylactic reactions.

Side Effects and Warnings

Carrot is likely safe when taken in food amounts but, carrot products should not be used excessively in nursing bottles for small children as they are likely unsafe.

Carrot food allergy symptoms include hives, swelling, skin rashes, asthma, diarrhea, or anaphylactic reactions.

Compulsive carrot eating is a rare condition in which the patient craves carrots. Withdrawal symptoms include nervousness, cravings, insomnia, water brash, and irritability.

Use cautiously in patients with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetes, hormone- sensitive conditions, or bowel obstruction.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Carrot, as an herbal medicine, in not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of scientific research. Carrot juice may alter the flavor of breast milk. Eating grated carrots may improve vitamin A and iron levels in the blood of breastfeeding mothers at risk of deficiency.