Ashu’s Curiosity
Throughout winter Ashu finds that his mother prepares various carrot recipes for him. These sweet and flavourful dishes are not only great in taste but rich in vitamins and other essential minerals.
But recently, one of Ashu’s friends told him that there is another variety of carrot that is called Black Carrot and in India, it is known as Kali Gajar.
He said, “I know that Gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) is yummy but you should try Kali Gajar ka Halwa which is prepared by using Black carrots.”
But like most Indians, till now Ashu was unaware and never heard about this particular carrot variety. He asked his mother but even she had never heard about it.
So at last, Ashu has only one platform where he can find detailed information about Black Carrot (Kali Gajar). Let us see what he finds:
What is a Black Carrot (Kali Gajar)?
Black carrots are a lesser-known variety of carrots that is scientifically called as Daucus Carota. Compared to the most consumed carrot variety which is orange or light red in colour, the Kali Gajar or Black carrot is distinguished by its deep purple to black colour.
Studies have found that Black Carrots have originated from the Central Asian region, especially from countries like Iran and Afghanistan.
Similar to its other counterparts, the Black carrot also carries a lot of essential nutrients and can provide multiple health benefits. Various compounds in black carrots can help you by preventing chronic diseases. Before discussing health benefits, we see the nutritional value of Black Carrots (Kali Gajar).
You can read more about 6 Proven Benefits of Carrot and its Nutrition.
Nutritional Value of Kali Gajar (Black Carrot)
Following is the list of black carrot nutrition and the calorie intake of 100g of Kali Gajar:
| Nutrients | Black Carrot- 100 g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 35 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 8.2 g |
| Fiber | 2.9 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Vitamin C | 13.86 mg |
| Vitamin A | 16700 IU |
| Beta- Carotene | 8280 µg |
Source: www.netmeds.com
Health Benefits of Black Carrots
When we talk about health benefits then Black carrot has no lesser benefits than compared to other carrot variants. Following are some of those benefits:
Rich in Antioxidants
The presence of free radicals in our body can create oxidative stress causing damage to healthy cells of internal organs. These free radicals must be eliminated from the body because they are linked to multiple chronic diseases.
Antioxidants are natural compounds that help neutralize and reduce the effects of these free radicals. Anthocyanins are the antioxidants present in black carrots that are effective against free radicals and prevent degenerative diseases.
Promotes Eye Health
One of the major benefits of eating carrots is that it can improve your eyesight. Consuming carrots is specifically beneficial when you are suffering from night blindness, a health condition caused by Vitamin-A Deficiency.
Similar to other carrots, Kali Gajar or Black carrot is also beneficial for improving eye health. These carrots are rich in Vitamin A and other antioxidants that can prevent damage from oxidative stress.
Supports Heart Health
Black carrot or Kali Gajar is a great food to maintain a healthy heart. It carries a lot of vital antioxidants that can shield your heart from any oxidative stress. Polyphenols, Flavonoids and carotenoids are some compounds that can help you by preventing heart disease.
Certain studies have shown that black carrot can reduce the risk of strokes, hypertension and heart failure for the people who consume kali Gajar regularly.
Improves Digestion
Black carrots are also rich in fiber, a natural form of carbohydrate that can smoothen or boost digestive health. Dietary fibers are associated with preventing the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Constipation and indigestion.
Fiber in Kali Gajar can strengthen the nutrient absorption capability of the digestive system. Also, fiber is essential to boost the growth of the microbiome in the gut. These bacteria are required for proper digestion of your food.
Boosts Immunity
Due to the high content of Vitamin C in the Black Carrot vegetable, eating it can strengthen your immune system. A healthy immune system produces a good quantity of white blood cells which are required for fighting infections.
Research has proved that Vitamin C can be helpful in faster healing of wounds. Nutrients in Kali Gajar can strengthen the body’s natural defences against winter illnesses.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
When we talk about Chronic Inflammation, then you should know that it can cause serious health conditions like Arthritis, Type-2 Diabetes and other cardiovascular disease. Anthocyanins found in black carrots have anti-inflammatory properties that can lower the inflammation.
Vitamin A and Beta Carotene in black carrot can prevent the occurrence of ulcers and gastritis in the stomach linings. These inflammations can damage the inner lining of the stomach.
Helps in Skin Care
Beta-carotene in Kali Gajar can contribute to maintaining healthy and glowing skin. Skin problems are especially prevalent during the winter season due to dryness. So, it is essential to add such food items to your diet that can hydrate your skin tissues. One such food is black carrot.
When you add black carrot vegetable to your diet then it can help you in improving your skin health. Vitamin C in Kali Gajar is a compound that helps in the production of collagen, a protein that is essential to maintaining the youthfulness of the skin.
Uses of Black Carrots (Kali Gajar)
In the last decade, there has been a sharp rise in the culinary uses of Kali Gajar. These uses vary in nature. Let us discuss some of these uses:
In Indian Cuisine
Similar to other carrot variants, Kali Gajar can also be used in preparing various Indian recipes. These recipes include soups, salads, curries, juices and even desserts. You can even use the sliced black carrot as dressings as well.
In Beverages
As we have mentioned above, black carrot can be consumed in the form of juice. It can be a great morning delight and boost your morning intake of various nutrients. You can also use it in preparing smoothies as well.
Medicinal Uses
There are multiple uses of Black carrots in preparing traditional medicines, especially in Ayurvedic medicine. Pharmaceutical products for liver disease, digestive system and fertility contain Kali Gajar content during manufacturing.
Food Colouring
The natural pigment of Kali Gajar is used as a food colouring agent in processing food items. The pigment carries antioxidants like Anthocyanins that give a deep purple colour to commercial foods like candies, beverages and even some cosmetic products.
After discussing health benefits and uses, let us discuss some health risks of over-consumption of Kali Gajar.
Health Risks of Black Carrot (Kali Gajar)
There is rarely any health risk of eating Black carrot or Kali Gajar but you should add it to your meal in moderate quantities. Here are some health risks that you can face by consuming Black Carrot more than the recommended quantities:
1. Allergic Reactions
There are many instances where people who have consumed black carrot show allergic symptoms like itching, swelling, or even difficulty in breathing as well. If you observe these symptoms more often then you should avoid consuming Kali Gajar for some time.
2. Interaction with Medications
Black carrots have compounds like Anthocyanins and Vitamin K that can interfere with other medications. They are especially problematic when you are taking blood-thinning medications. If you are taking regular doses of such medicines then you should first consult with your doctor before adding Kali Gajar to your diet.
3. Kidney Stones
If you are a person with a history of having kidney stones due to calcium oxalate, then you should avoid eating black carrots. Kali Gajar has a high content of oxalates that are responsible for stone formation in the kidneys.
Conclusion
Due to the information provided by Know Your Diet, Ashu knows that Black carrot vegetable or Kali Gajar is a variety of carrots that are a great source of many essential nutrients and minerals. The health benefits of Black carrots include improving eyesight, digestion and heart health.
Ashu can also utilise Kali Gajar in many other ways but must remember that there are certain risks of over-consuming black carrot. But then also black carrot is a good option to boost immunity in the winter season.
