We already knew that eating carrots in particular and foods rich in carotenoids in general, offered a protection against breast cancer. We also knew that carrots give us beautiful skin because they offer a form of natural and nutritional protection. against the action of ultraviolet rays But we haven’t finished putting carrots in all the sauces because, a new study carried out by researchers from Harvard University, in the United States, shows that eating carrots also allows us to see life in pink !
“This is the first time that a study of this type has shown a link between optimism and our beta-carotene levels,” explains Julia Boehm, from the Harvard Medical School in the United States. “One of the theories is that carotenoids, which fight cell aging and boost our immunity, also have a de-stressing effect.”
To reach this conclusion, the researchers did blood tests to discover the level of 9 different antioxidants (including beta-carotene and vitamin E) in a thousand people between the ages of 25 and 74. After providing a blood sample, all these volunteers completed a questionnaire on their lifestyle and how they see the future. The researchers then discovered that the people who had the highest concentration of carotenoids were also those who were the most optimistic: they had up to 13% more beta-carotenes in their blood than the most pessimistic people in the group. test.
“Even if we have not yet demonstrated the biochemical process that makes it possible to achieve this well-being, we believe that this study will mark a milestone,” said Professor Andrew Oswald, who led this study.
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By pushing their research further, the scientists looked at the content of the plate of the participants in this study. And they discovered that the most optimistic people (thus those with a higher concentration of carotenoids) ate more than 3 servings of vegetables or fruit each day. While the most pessimistic ate less than 2 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This is when a virtuous circle begins because, again according to this study, the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the more optimistic you are. And the more optimistic we are, the more we take care of our health. “We know that antioxidants in fruits and vegetables prevent age-related diseases. But now we will be able to look into their effects on our mood,” concludes Professor Oswald.
In the meantime, to see life in pink this weekend, we invite you to test the recipe for Tea steamed carrots or the recipe for Carrot and green apple velouté. Enjoy your lunch !