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What is Black Carrot? Its Benefits Uses and Nutritional Value


Updated: 19 Sep 2024

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Did you know black carrots have more antioxidants than orange carrots? They come from China and India. People all over the world love them for their health benefits.

The black carrot’s color comes from anthocyanins. This makes them very good for you. They taste sweet and a bit spicy, which is why people enjoy them.

Black carrots are full of vitamins and minerals. They have vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium. This makes them great for your health. Many use black carrot extract for wellness.

Black carrot pictures
Black carrot pictures

Key Takeaways

  • Black carrots have 2.5 times more antioxidant potential compared to orange carrots.
  • The dark black carrot color is due to the high concentration of anthocyanins.
  • The black carrot plant offers unique health benefits, including improved heart health and digestive support.
  • These carrots are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium.
  • Black carrot extract is used in various health and wellness applications.

What is Black Carrot

Black carrots are known for their deep, inky color. They are called Daucus carota subsp. sativus var. atrorubens. This color comes from anthocyanins, which are good for our health.

Black carrots are packed with nutrients. They have more anthocyanins and antioxidants than orange carrots. They also have vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like potassium and calcium. These nutrients help keep us healthy.

Black carrot
Black carrot

Black carrots are full of antioxidants. These help fight stress and reduce inflammation. Eating them can lower cholesterol and reduce disease risk, especially heart disease. They also help keep our eyes healthy.

Black carrots are also good for looking young. They keep skin looking good and help hair and scalp health. That’s why they’re used in beauty products.

Black carrots are great for cooking too. They add flavor and color to food. They’re also good for the planet because they grow well in many places.

CharacteristicBlack CarrotOrange Carrot
Anthocyanin Content (mg/100g)Up to 190None
Color StabilityHigh due to Mono-acylated AnthocyaninsLow
Vitamin ContentHigh in A, C, KModerate in A
Antioxidant PropertiesHighModerate
Culinary UsesSavory and Sweet DishesPrimarily Savory

Black carrots have been used for medicine for a long time. They are important in many cultures. Growing and eating black carrots helps keep traditions alive and makes us healthier.

Black Carrot Benefits

Black carrots are amazing for our health. They are found in India and China. Their color and nutrition are impressive.

Rich in Antioxidants

Black carrots have a deep color because of anthocyanins. These antioxidants fight stress and inflammation. They help prevent diseases like heart problems and brain issues.

Black carrot
Black carrot

Black carrots have more antioxidants than orange carrots. They are great for protecting us from harm.

Improves Heart Health

Black carrots are good for our hearts. They have anthocyanins that help blood vessels and cholesterol. They also lower blood pressure.

Eating black carrots makes our hearts healthier. They are better for our hearts than orange carrots.

Supports Digestive Health

Black carrots are good for our stomachs. They have lots of fiber. This helps with digestion and blood sugar.

The fiber in black carrots helps our bodies absorb nutrients. It also keeps our guts healthy. They are low in calories, which helps with weight loss.

NutrientBlack CarrotsOrange Carrots
Water88%87%
Protein1%0.9%
Carbohydrate7%6%
Fat0.2%0.1%
Fiber3%0.3%

What is Black Carrot Used For?

Black carrots are packed with anthocyanin. They are great for eating raw, pickling, and adding to soups and salads. Their sweetness makes dishes taste unique.

Black carrots are also used for natural food coloring. Their extract is prized for its deep color. This is because of a pigment called acylated cyanidin-3-(p-coumaroyl)-diglucoside-5-glucoside. They are good for those who follow kosher diets.

NutrientContent per 100g
Anthocyanins350 mg
Vitamin A16706 IU
Vitamin C5.9 mg
Folate19 µg
Phenolics290.0 mg gallic acid equivalents

Black carrot juice is popular. It’s regulated in the EU and the USA. It’s a tasty drink and good for health because of its antioxidants.

Black carrots are used in health foods. They help the immune system and digestion. Recipes suggest using them raw or cooked for more nutrition.

But, eating too much can cause carotenemia. This makes the skin yellow or orange. Still, in small amounts, black carrots are good for our diet.

Nutritional Value and Composition

Black carrots are packed with nutrients and bioactive compounds. They have about 88% water, 1% protein, 0.14% fat, 2.5% fiber, and 8% protein. This makes them low in calories but full of nutrients.

They are rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They also have vitamins like thiamine and ascorbic acid. The fiber in black carrots helps with digestion.

The purple color of black carrots comes from anthocyanins. These antioxidants are more powerful than those in orange carrots. Studies show black carrots have up to 1750 mg/kg of anthocyanins.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the nutrient composition and bioactive compounds found in black carrots:

Nutrient/CompoundContent
Moisture88%
Protein1%
Fat0.14%
Fiber2.5%
Polyphenols (including Caffeic and Hydroxycinnamic Acids)High
Anthocyanins1750 mg/kg (fresh weight)
Thiamine0.04 mg/100 g
Riboflavin0.02 mg/100 g
Niacin0.2 mg/100 g
Minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc)Present

Black carrots are great for adding color and nutrition to food. They are also good for health. This makes black carrot extract very useful.

In summary, black carrots are full of nutrients and bioactive compounds. They are good for health. Adding them to your diet can bring many benefits.

Conclusion

Black carrots are full of good stuff for our health. They have lots of antioxidants, which help fight bad stuff in our bodies. These antioxidants can even protect our brains.

Black carrots are also very good for us because they are full of water and nutrients. They have a lot of fiber, which helps our digestion. This makes them great for our health.

Black carrots are becoming more popular because they are so good for us. They can help with stress, inflammation, heart health, and digestion. Adding them to our meals is a smart way to stay healthy.

In short, black carrots are not just colorful. They are also very good for us. They are a great choice for anyone who wants to eat healthy and sustainable foods. As we learn more, we will find even more ways to use them.

What is a Black Carrot?

Black carrot is a special carrot from China and India. It’s dark because it has lots of anthocyanins.

What is the nutritional value of black carrots?

Black carrots are full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. They have calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron too. They also have vitamin A and potassium for heart health.

What gives black carrots their color?

Their color comes from anthocyanins. This is different from orange and yellow carrots, which have beta-carotene.

What are the health benefits of black carrots?

Black carrots are good for your brain, heart, and digestion. They fight stress and inflammation. They also help with cholesterol and blood pressure.

How can black carrots be used in cooking?

You can use black carrots in salads, soups, and stews. They add a unique taste to dishes.

What is black carrot juice used for?

People drink black carrot juice for its health benefits. It’s also used as a natural food coloring.

What are the potential side effects of consuming black carrots?

Eating too much can cause skin color changes and allergies in some.

Where can I buy black carrots?

You can find black carrots in specialty stores and online. They offer exotic and healthy vegetables.

What is black carrot extract?

It’s a concentrated juice of black carrots. It’s full of antioxidants and is used in food and supplements.

How does black carrot contribute to a sustainable food landscape?

Black carrot and their products make food healthier. They support natural and functional foods. This helps our food system be better for health and the planet.


Sikandar

Sikandar

Hi, I am Sikandar Mehdi, founder of mybestvegetables.com. I have been a professional farmer for 20 years. After graduating in 2002, I started learning about vegetables. After a lot of experience, in 2023, I started sharing my blog on my platform, mybestvegetables.com.

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