Today is National Carrot Cake Day! This delicious dessert is much healthier than other types of cakes. Let’s examine a few of the healthful benefits of the main components of carrot cake.
Carrots
Obviously the main ingredient in carrot cake is carrots! The orange root vegetable is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, both of which protect against macular degeneration and improve your night vision. Carrots also help keep your skin looking young and beautiful. The high level of beta-carotene is an antioxidant that helps slow down the aging of cells. Furthermore, vitamin A protects your skin from sun damage, wrinkling, dryness, blemishes, and acne. Carrots have also been found to prevent heart disease and stroke, because their carotenoids help reduce cholesterol levels and keep your heart healthy. Additionally, a natural pesticide called falcarinol helps keep the vegetable’s roots healthy. This compound may also have anticancer properties to reduce the risk of lung, breast, and colon cancer.
As a bonus, raw, fresh carrots are crisp and crunchy. They can help clean your teeth and mouth by stimulating saliva production. Their natural vitamins and minerals also help keep your teeth and gums strong.
Additional Ingredients
Carrot cakes contain other ingredients to help add more flavor. A traditional carrot cake recipe calls for raisins and walnuts. Dr. Greenfield recommends limiting the raisins because they can stick to your teeth. Walnuts, however, are rich in antioxidants to help reduce cholesterol, improve eye care, and increase bone and dental strength. Some carrot cakes also contain cinnamon and ginger spices, which have many medicinal therapies. Cinnamon can reduce blood sugar and cholesterol. It also helps relieve congestion, relax muscles, and kill oral bacteria. Ginger’s healing properties include relieving nausea and dizziness, strengthening your immune system, and improving heart health. Finally, carrot cake is often made with brown sugar, which is somewhat healthier than refined white sugar.
Icing
Carrot cakes are usually topped with a cream cheese icing. While the frosting still contains sugar, the cream cheese provides a bit of calcium and protein to help strengthen your smile.
Ask Dr. Greenfield what other fresh veggies will help protect your smile, and what other desserts will damage it. Contact Dr. Greenfield at Lake Orion Dentistry at (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and surrounding communities.
