Carrots are composed primarily of water. Even so, they have a high concentration of important vitamins and minerals that promote your overall health. Proponents of carrot juice claim this vegetable beverage is good for the heart, and initial research appears promising. But take care when you drink carrot juice. A little bit goes a long way.
Nutritional Profile
A 100-g serving of carrot juice has 13 vitamins, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Data Laboratory. These vitamins include 19,124 international units of vitamin A, 8.5 mg of vitamin C, 15.5 mcg of vitamin K and 9.9 mg of choline. The same quantity of carrot juice has 12 minerals, which include 292 mg of potassium, 24 mg of calcium, 29 mg of sodium, 14 mg of magnesium and 0.6 mcg of selenium. Other elements found in carrots include beta carotene, phytochemicals and alpha carotene.
Preliminary Evidence
Vitamin A is regarded as a potent anti-oxidant, and it is also one of the most prevalent vitamins in carrot juice. Anti-oxidants fight the damaging effects of free radicals, which are known to oxidize cholesterol, thus increasing LDL, or bad, cholesterol, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If untreated, LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque accumulation along your artery walls, a condition known as atherosclerosis. High-carotenoid foods such as carrots are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. While solid scientific data linking carrots to heart disease reduction is unavailable, preliminary evidence suggests a diet rich in this vegetable may be beneficial for heart health.
Supplementation vs. Juice
Supplementation with vitamin A does not appear to have the same heart-health benefits that consuming high-carotenoid foods provides, according to the Cleveland Clinic and the American Heart Association. If heart health is your goal, eat your carrots and drink your carrot juice.
Intake
There are no official intake recommendation for carrot juice in regard to heart health. According to the World Carrot Museum, an 8-oz. serving of carrot juice provides as much as 800 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A, as well as up to 35 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Because of the high concentration of vitamin A, do not drink more than 8 oz. daily.
Safety Considerations
Although carrots are generally recognized as safe for healthy adults, consuming too much carrot juice can cause carotenemia. This condition can cause your skin to yellow. If you are taking medications or undergoing medical treatment, talk with your doctor about your nutritional needs, including how much vitamin A you should be getting.