Black carrot contains a specific component that sets it apart from all others: anthocyanin, a powerful natural antioxidant.
When it comes to food, we tend to avoid those with a blackish tone, because our mind tends to associate them with something negative. But the fact that a food has this aspect does not mean that it is in bad condition.
This is the case of the black carrot, which owes its color (sometimes greenish black, sometimes dark purple) to a natural pigment called anthocyanin, present in those we call 'purple foods': fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, red cabbage or eggplant.
And it is precisely the anthocyanin that makes the black carrot a vegetable with great qualities. It has been demonstrated that this antioxidant is capable of protecting us from cellular degeneration. It has also been related to the reduction of the risk of suffering from diabetes or heart disease, with the improvement of sight, and it has been attributed the capacity to be anti-inflammatory.
Other properties of the black carrot
Its anthocyanin content is not the only interesting thing about the black carrot. This vegetable, which tastes very similar to its orange "sister", but with a slight spicy touch, also has nutrients that are worth keeping in mind.
- It stands out for its content in vitamin A and carotenes, that is why its consumption is associated to a good health of the eyes and skin, qualities that provide these nutrients.
- The black carrot also contains minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and iodine.
- It is a very low calorie vegetable, since 90% of its composition is water, so it is ideal for diets that seek to lose weight.
- It is rich in fiber: it has almost two grams per unit.
Introducing the black carrot in our diet is not complicated, since it is used exactly the same as the orange: as a garnish, in creams, raw or cooked, in pastries... What can be more difficult is to find it, since it is usually not available in supermarkets. It can be found more in specific fruit stores or organic stores. But seeing its benefits, it is worth looking for it.