Carrots

Let’s start with the BIG carrot questions in everyone’s mind:

Can eating a lot of carrots improve my eyesight?

No, but carrots can help you maintain the quality of vision you currently have.  According to WebMD, “Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A—a crucial nutrient for maintaining proper eyesight.”

Can consuming large amounts of carrots or carrot juice make my skin turn orange?

Yes, says, WebMD, because beta-carotene is a pigment.  But don’t panic. The orange color is harmless and temporary.  Just cut down on carrots, carrot juice, or other orange fruits or vegetables (such as cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, apricots, or peaches), and your skin color will return to normal.

Now, for some carrot-related fun, check out the Carrot Museum!  There, you’ll find Mountains of carrot trivia, such as "The average person will consume 10,866 carrots in a lifetime."  What else? Information about upcoming international carrot festivals (yes, carrot festivals!).  Carrot recipes. Carrot collectibles.  Carrot toys ("Mr. Carrot Head!  Thanks, mom!").  Classic paintings featuring carrots (Who knew?).  The illustrious History of Carrots.  And photos of the world's top carrot collections that will blow your mind.  All this will make you wish you loved something, anything, as much as the carrot museum curators love carrots.  (Did we mention the carrot musicians?)

You could spend all day on this site, stopping only to whip up a batch of delicious carrot ice cream for a snack, and still not explore anywhere near all the treasures.  In short:

1. There's apparently nothing carrots can't do. 

2. There's apparently no hobby in the world that the internet has neglected.

To conclude with some serious carrot advice: since most of the carrot’s nutrients are in the outer layer, it’s best not to peel them; instead, just wash them. Furthermore, don’t cut them before cooking.  According to a scientific study, carrots that are boiled before they’re cut have a higher nutritional value and 25% more of the anti-cancer compound falcarinol.  In addition, they taste better.