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It all started with a TikTok video. I was scrolling for beauty hacks when I landed on a video about carrot juice. I love carrots and juice — combining the nutritional benefits of this root crop and the convenience juicing brings, I thought, why not give it a try? Discover what happened after drinking carrot juice for a month and my ultimate verdict on whether it’s worth trying out.
Carrot juice has many health benefits, including affecting the eyes, immune system, and blood sugar. It obviously has advantages, or else people on TikTok wouldn’t try it in the first place. Here are some skin-specific benefits to keep in mind.
One cup of carrot juice contains over 20% of the daily value of vitamin C, a nutrient required for collagen production. Collagen is the most abundant fibrous protein in your body that helps improve skin moisture, hydration and elasticity. If you’re taking collagen supplements, drinking carrot juice can help you get faster results.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals, which can contribute to premature skin aging. Consuming antioxidants results in a more youthful appearance.
Carrots contain beta carotene, another antioxidant that can help shield your skin from UV radiation, preventing photodamage. Think of carrots as your edible sunscreen — it’s the sidekick that works internally to make your skin healthy.
What happens when the aforementioned benefits merge? It results in brighter, better and healthier skin. Who needs luxury skin care products if you have carrots and a juicer in the kitchen, right?
Of course, I was pretty skeptical at first — like I always am when I encounter a diet fad. Therefore, I did my assignment before jumping into it. According to Dr. Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN via Nike, people have been juicing for years to deliver a fast, efficient shot of nutrients and hydration.
According to Dr. Nicholas Generales, DO, a Los Angeles-based family medicine physician, juicing can be beneficial for individuals who don’t eat a balanced diet.
“Juicing can serve as an introduction into the world of fruits and vegetables for those who don’t yet eat enough of these nutrient-dense foods,” he shared.
However, Dr. Feller stressed that it shouldn’t be an alternative to a balanced diet.
“Macronutrients are the nutrients we need to consume in large quantities in order to survive. The macronutrient profile of juice is mainly carbohydrates. Therefore, juicing alone lacks protein and fat. Juicing also removes the fiber, which is an incredibly powerful component of many plant foods,” she says.
Moreover, carrot juice has less fiber and more sugar content compared to raw, whole carrots, as the majority of fiber is found in the peel and skin. Some people usually peel the skin before juicing.
Despite the downsides, I went back to my “why.” I’m doing this to see its effects on my skin, not because I want a fiber boost. Plus, veggies are good for the body regardless. I’m pretty confident in my diet, which consists of oatmeal, whole breads, vegetables, fruits, nuts and well, occasional weekend McDonald’s take-outs, but you get the point. Eating my usual fiber sources will help digest the naturally occurring sugars in the carrot juice.
For context, I’m not new to the juicing craze. I started by juicing cucumber and spinach and drinking a glass every morning. It didn’t do much for my skin, so I added carrot juice.
I wash and scrub four carrots before dicing them. Unlike other recipes, I like my root crops unpeeled to retain their fiber content. A caveat though — expect a more velvety texture.
Just add them, a nugget of peeled ginger, and deseeded oranges to a slow juicer, and you have your natural elixir.
Carrot juice has done amazing things to my skin that no other juice has ever done. Incorporating it into my daily routine was so easy — I just drink it after eating my breakfast, since I have more spare time for juicing in the morning. After a week of consumption, there were no visible effects, but I just felt more energized in general.
After two weeks of consuming it, my complexion turned a pretty healthy color. My family and friends often comment on how glowing my skin is. I even get a lot of comments, asking about my skin care routine.
I also noticed how my hair looks much better weeks after incorporating carrot juice into my diet. I can’t be the only one experiencing this, so I did a quick TikTok research to verify my theory.
Alas, I found this video!
This may be a likable effect for some, but three weeks after drinking carrot juice, I noticed my skin turning somewhat tan or orange. I felt like I was wearing a natural fake tan. According to Dr. Silvija P. Gottesman, MD, the beta-carotene content leads to higher levels of carotene in the body, resulting in an orange-like skin discoloration. This condition is called carotenoderma.
Since carrot juice is easy to incorporate into my daily life, I will continue drinking it. If you want to try carrot juice, remember that it is not a replacement for a balanced diet or your skin care regimen. You shouldn’t expect a drink to do all the work for you.
Another way to enjoy carrots is to have them grilled. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, especially during our Friday steak nights at home. What I do is clean the carrots, put them into a casserole dish and then add olive oil, salt, pepper and soy sauce. I let it sit for a few minutes before grilling them. Give it a try and get that added fiber boost!
Now that I’ve spilled all the juicy details, what I can recommend is for you to try at least a glass of it today and see whether you like it or not.
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