Carrots contain a number of nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamin A and K, manganese, folate and magnesium. In addition, they are a rich source of several antioxidants, from beta-carotene to anthocyanindins. Although few studies have used carrot juice directly, its nutrients may have LDL cholesterol-lowering effects. However, further research is needed.
LDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a lipid that plays a role in cell membrane support and synthesis of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. However, too much low-density, or LDL, cholesterol may increase your risk for cardiovascular disease by forming plaque inside artery walls, which in turn leads to inflammation that inhibits blood flow to your heart. Your LDL cholesterol levels should be between 100 to 129 mg/dL for optimum health, according to the Mayo Clinic.
LDL Oxidation
When free radicals attach to LDL cholesterol, they cause it to change particle size in a process known as LDL oxidation. As a result of oxidation, LDL cholesterol is more likely to be transported into artery walls, where it forms plaque. Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia discovered that male cigarette smokers with normal cholesterol levels consuming carrot juice daily with their diet for three weeks experienced decreases in LDL oxidation. The findings were published in the June 1995 issue of the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association.”
Soluble Fiber
Carrots are full of soluble fiber, which may reduce LDL cholesterol, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Valladolid in Spain. Subjects were assigned to a diet containing 8.4 grams of insoluble fiber and 1.97 grams of soluble fiber or 25.08 grams of insoluble fiber plus 4.11 grams of soluble fiber. Both diets were followed for three months. At the end of the study, which was published in the July 2004 issue of "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice,” scientists found that those consuming more soluble fiber had greater reductions in LDL cholesterol compared with those who consumed less soluble fiber.
Additional Research
Scientists at Harvard School of Public Health performed a review of the scientific studies regarding the effects of dietary fiber and cholesterol. They examined 67 controlled trials and concluded that soluble fiber was associated with a small but significant decrease in LDL cholesterol levels, according to research published in the January 1999 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
References
- Mayo Clinic; High Cholesterol; June 2011
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Dietary Supplementation With Orange And Carrot Juice in Cigarette Smokers Lowers Oxidation Products in Copper-Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins; M. Abbey et al.; June 1995
- "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice"; Effect of Soluble Fiber Intake in Lipid and Glucose Levels in Healthy Subjects: a Randomized Clinical Trial; R. Aller et al.; July 2004
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Dietary Fiber: a Meta-Analysis; L. Brown et al.; January 1999
