During my trip to New York, a few years ago, as I interacted with doctors, nutritionists, research scientists, and other integrative and lifestyle medicine experts, one revolutionary root vegetable kept coming up in conversations. Today I want to speak to you about it.

It takes me back to my childhood. From grade 1 to 10, when my mum would pack our lunch, she always added this orange-colored root vegetable to it. Yes, I am speaking about raw carrots. Growing up, there was never a day that I missed eating a carrot. It is a tradition that I will continue with my daughter. I encourage you to do the same for your health and your children.

All of us grew up well-fed on the numerous carrot benefits for skin, eyes, and overall health. You have seen me speak about it in past videos and blogs. What makes this one different? It is falcarinol.

What Makes Carrots Special?

When we think of carrots, we often think of vision, skin, or perhaps a traditional carrot halwa recipe enjoyed across many households. But beyond being a tasty vegetable, carrots contain compounds and fibers that science continues to study for their impact on weight, hormones, and even cancer. Here are some of their unique properties.

F for Falcarinol

Carrots have a natural pesticide called falcarinol to protect them from death, attack, and fungal diseases. Research shows that falcarinol has a protective effect against certain types of cancer. Falcarinol and its derivatives are now being extensively studied and used in multivitamins for cancer patients.

<Alfurayhi, Ruyuf, Lei Huang, and Kirsten Brandt. 2023. “Pathways Affected by Falcarinol-Type Polyacetylenes and Implications for Their Anti-Inflammatory Function and Potential in Cancer Chemoprevention.” Nutrients 15 (6): 1484. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061484>

But what is purely incredible is that falcarinol is now shown to slow down the development of cancer growth, inhibit aggressive cells that are already present in a tumor, and aid overall prevention.

Does this mean that eating a carrot is going to prevent or cure your cancer? NO. Because cancer is a multifactorial disease. But what carrots can do is assist your body in building strength and aid in prevention and management. It is not a magic vegetable. You need to look at your overall lifestyle: sleep, emotional wellness, nutrition, exercise, and nurture your internal and external environment.

Falcarinol is being studied not just in animals but also in humans. If you have cancer, it can help reduce the spread by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and inducing cell apoptosis (cell death).

While falcarinol is found in celery and parsley, too, carrots are super rich in it. What also sets carrots apart is that it is simple, affordable, and easy to consume. Even on days that you are crunched for time, it takes less than five minutes for you to wash, peel, and pack a carrot for lunch. If you live in a country that doesn’t have fresh carrots, you can eat frozen carrots too. Falcarinol is most effective when you eat it in raw carrots.

Falcarinol for fungal infection

You may wonder, but external fungal infections can be treated with topical applications, right? While they can, these infections are also a clear reflection of our internal environment. Just like falcarinol helps fight fungal infections in carrots, it can also help us when we consume raw carrots.

Carrots for weight loss

Back in nutrition school, most of us learned that beta-carotenes, carotenoids, Vitamins A, C, and E, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants make carrots excellent for eye health, skin, hair, gut, and cholesterol levels.

But did you know carrots have protein and fiber that keep you full and are excellent for fat loss? If you tend to overeat, all you need to do is make a simple lifestyle change: start your meal with one carrot. You will find over time that you are eating less. This is why so many recommend carrot for weight loss as a simple, sustainable habit that works across cultures.

Of course, only eating carrots won’t solve weight issues. Pay attention to all aspects of your lifestyle. Combine it with movement, sleep, stress balance, and if you enjoy experimenting, even a simple carrot recipe like soups, salads, or juices can make healthy eating enjoyable.

Why Carrots Matter for Hormonal Health & Cleansing

When we talk about raw carrots, most people only think of eye health or weight loss. But there’s another powerful role they play — supporting your hormonal health and giving your body a gentle daily cleanse.

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone need to stay in balance for energy, mood, fertility, and long-term health. Too much of one or too little of another can create problems that often go unnoticed until they build up into larger health concerns.

This is where raw carrots can make a difference. Let’s understand why.

What is Estrogen Dominance and Why Does It Matter?

Estrogen is a powerful hormone, but like everything in the body, it needs to stay in balance. When your estrogen levels become too high in relation to progesterone, it can lead to a condition called estrogen dominance. Many men and women today experience this without even realizing it. Common estrogen dominance symptoms include stubborn belly fat, irregular cycles, mood swings, fatigue, low libido, and even certain cancers.

Excess estrogen doesn’t just disrupt hormonal health; it also impacts your liver, metabolism, and immune system. This is why supporting a natural estrogen detox is key, and this is where raw carrots can play a simple yet powerful role.

Carrots to fight estrogen dominance

Even if we don’t have cancer, we need to look at prevention. Let’s be honest. We live in tough times where our air is polluted with toxins, food has pesticides, and everything ranging from the meat we eat, the milk we drink, medications we take, cosmetics we apply, and personal hygiene products we use has estrogen in it.

To fight this, we need to make our bodies stronger with the right foods and a healthy lifestyle.

Estrogen dominance today has become an increasingly common problem among most women leading to PCOS/PCOD, endometriosis, cysts, fibroids, ER+ breast cancers, uterine cancers, ovarian cancers, and so on. Another issue caused by estrogen dominance is excess and stubborn belly fat, both among men and women. No matter how well they eat or exercise, they cannot seem to lose this fat.

Why are doctors warning women going through difficult menopause of the risk factor of ER+ breast cancer or ovarian cancer? It is because of estrogen dominance.

<Al-Shami, Khayry, Sajeda Awadi, Almu’atasim Khamees, Ahmad Malek Alsheikh, Sumaiya Al-Sharif, Raneem Ala’ Bereshy, Sharaf F. Al-Eitan, Sajedah H. Banikhaled, Ahmad R. Al-Qudimat, Raed M. Al-Zoubi, and Mazhar Salim Al Zoubi. 2023. “Estrogens and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review of Literature.” Frontiers in Endocrinology 14: 1225373. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1225373>

Can increasing your portion of carrots or improving the consistency of eating help? Absolutely YES. Carrots contain a unique indigestible fiber that has cleansing properties. It removes excess estrogen from your intestine. This is why many nutrition experts highlight the connection between carrots and estrogen balance, especially for women with hormonal concerns. Once you do it, this estrogen does not get reabsorbed back into your system.

I have many women reaching out to me asking: Luke, I am going through menopause. My estrogen levels are falling, so why does it show that I have estrogen dominance?

Where Does Your Body Store Excess Estrogen?

In the fat cells in your abdominal region. The fat you have accumulated over the years is holding on to that estrogen.

Also, if you are struggling with chronic constipation, you reabsorb estrogen into your system, and your liver reactivates it. Don’t live with chronic constipation. It is connected with all diseases, especially cancer. I once had a doctor who challenged me and said – There are over-the-counter medications and laxatives to deal with constipation – why make a big deal out of it?

I said, “Think about it. If you have crap lying in your room, you will remove it, right?” How are you okay with holding onto poop in your body that is filled with toxins, bacteria, dangerous gases, fungi, and infections? Reabsorption of estrogen in your system will lead to a hormonal imbalance. Today, we have young girls and ladies with PCOS who are highly constipated. Sometimes, a protocol as simple as addressing this chronic constipation, their PCOS has been fixed.

Carrots to Cleanse Your Liver

Carrots help you cleanse the liver. We extensively use it to handle cases of liver cancer or liver cirrhosis, or any liver condition. Its rich nutritional properties help repair and regenerate liver enzymes. The cleaner your liver and the fewer the toxins, the greater your ability to burn fat, too. This is also why nutritionists often classify carrots for weight loss as a liver-friendly food that indirectly supports fat metabolism. If you are struggling to lose weight, perhaps pay attention to your liver and take action to keep it clean.

How To Eat Carrots?

The beauty of carrots is that it has this indigestible fiber that keeps you full for a longer time and can keep cravings at bay. So snack on them. Grate it to make a salad. Be as creative as possible. 

It is a blank canvas to play with. From a quick salad to a warm carrot recipe like soup or stir-fry, you can adapt it to every season. Eat a whole carrot, and bite into it mindfully. Chewing strengthens your jaws and teeth. 

If you have little time, you can choose to juice it. Many people wonder: Is carrot juice good for you? The answer is yes, provided it is consumed in moderation and balanced with whole foods. Many people specifically ask about carrot juice benefits, and yes, juicing can still provide hydration, beta-carotene, and antioxidants, though eating them raw has unique advantages.

Add raw, washed, and peeled carrots to your and your children’s tiffins. Make it a culture in your family. Of course, if you have an allergy or have medical conditions that don’t allow you to have them, avoid them.

The fiber from carrots helps populate your gut microbiome. Now, if you have ulcerative colitis or other gut issues that make it difficult for your body to break down raw carrots, you can also opt to cook them.

Cooked carrots may lose a little nutritional value in terms of falcarinol, but they help break down the thick and strong plant cellulose and allow betacarotene and carotenoids to shine effectively. 

If you enjoy juicing, remember that carrot juice benefits can complement cooked or raw forms, especially for those who find raw fiber difficult to digest. If you are eating carrots for better skin, hair, and eye health, you can opt to cook them too. The carrot benefits for skin come mainly from antioxidants and beta-carotene, which protect against oxidative damage and support a natural glow. Make a carrot soup, mash, or just steam them.

What To Be Careful Of?

Remember not to overdo it. You can eat up to 1 to 2 carrots a day. Some people with cancer start drinking 2 liters of carrot juice and develop carotenemia, where their skin turns orange (due to the beta carotenes and carotenoids). Overdoing carrots can be toxic for you. Just having more carrots will not give you better results.

If you have pollen, dust, or animal fur allergies – be careful. It can aggravate it in rare cases. Everyone is unique and a bio-individual. Find out if it suits you or not.

Because carrot is a root vegetable that grows underground, it has a lot of pesticides. Prefer to work with sustainable farmers and source organic varieties. Cut out the middleman. Organically grown carrots may not look beautiful or uniform. They may be deformed or not pretty to look at, but they are good for your health and pure. And yes, even a carrot halwa recipe made from organic carrots carries a richer taste and nutrition compared to the polished store-bought variety. Remember, the nutrition from falcarinol and beta carotenes is found in full-grown carrots. Baby carrots are a fad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the top carrot juice benefits for daily health?

Carrot juice benefits include supporting digestion, boosting immunity, improving vision due to its beta-carotene content, and aiding liver function. When consumed in moderation, it can also complement hormonal balance and natural cleansing.

Q2. Can you share a simple carrot recipe that supports hormonal balance?

Yes. A grated raw carrot salad with a dash of olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of rock salt is a powerful carrot recipe. It can support estrogen balance, liver health, and digestive regularity.

Q3. What are the carrot benefits for skin?

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants that help improve skin tone, protect against sun damage, and slow the signs of aging. The benefits of carrots for skin also extend to reducing inflammation and supporting collagen production.

Q4. Is there a healthy carrot halwa recipe for those who want to enjoy sweets guilt-free?

Absolutely. A wholesome carrot halwa recipe can be made using grated carrots, jaggery or dates instead of refined sugar, and ghee in small amounts. This makes it nourishing while still enjoyable, especially when portion-controlled.

Q5. Is carrot juice good for you if you have estrogen dominance?

Yes, but in moderation. Carrots help the body eliminate excess estrogen through their fiber content. While carrot juice is good for you, eating raw, grated carrots may be more effective for managing estrogen dominance because the fiber remains intact.

Q6. What is the link between carrots and estrogen balance?

Carrots contain unique fibers that bind to excess estrogen in the gut, helping the body flush it out naturally. This makes the connection between carrots and estrogen especially valuable for those struggling with estrogen dominance.

Q7. Can I use carrots for weight loss?

Yes. Carrot for weight loss works because it is low in calories, high in fiber, and keeps you full longer. Whether eaten raw, juiced, or added to soups and salads, it can help manage appetite and support fat loss.

The Bottom Line

Carrots exist abundantly around us. But are we using them enough? Get that orange-colored wonder vegetable onto your plate and complete the rainbow. You don’t need a household or cook to do that. Do it yourself. Start with one carrot and be consistent. 1 for a child, and 2 for adults. If you have PCOS, endometriosis, or ER+ breast cancers, remember carrots are your best friend.

Buy ethically sourced and grown carrots here.

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