What Are Dangers Of Juicing Carrots?

Fresh juices are one of the few diet trends that have some nutritional merit. When consumed safely and in moderation, fresh juices provide ample amounts of vitamins and minerals. Carrots are one of the most commonly juiced vegetables, as they add a natural sweetness to the mix. However, like most foods, consuming too much fresh carrot juice or preparing it improperly can lead to health consequences.

Food-Borne Illnesses

Soil provides a natural home for bacteria. Even if your carrots look clean or come in a package that indicates they're pre-washed, some of that bacteria might still be present. Pasteurization heats juice to a temperature that destroys harmful bacteria. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that drinking unpasteurized juices, such as carrot juice made at home, increases your risk of food-borne illnesses associated with soil bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella.

Vitamin A Overdose

One half cup of sliced, raw carrots contains 210 percent of your daily value of Vitamin A, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Juicing removes the fiber from carrots, so one glass can take several cups of carrots. If you drink more than one glass of carrot juice per day, plus eat other foods rich in vitamin A or take a multivitamin, you could overdose, which can cause nausea, dizziness, bleeding problems and, in rare cases, kidney damage.

Carotenemia

Too much vitamin A from carrots and other orange and yellow vegetables can cause skin discoloration known as carotenemia, which is similar to jaundice in that it changes your skin tone to a yellow-orange color. However, unlike jaundice, carotenemia doesn't affect the whites of your eyes. The condition goes away in a few months with dietary changes.

Pregnancy Complications

During pregnancy, hormonal changes decrease your immune system function, which makes you more susceptible to food-borne illnesses. Some types of bacteria can cross the placenta and affect the growth and development of your unborn baby. In some cases, ingesting listeria or toxoplasmosis-causing bacteria can negatively impact your baby's brain and neurological development. Pregnant women are advised to avoid unpasteurized juices and to wash carrots and all other fruits and vegetables carefully.