Are root vegetable better for you?

Answer 1

As the "storage bin" for a plant's nutrients, root vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins, phytonutrients, and complex carbohydrates. Because of their nature, they can survive cold storage and they are invaluable for winter nutrition in cold climates when little else is growing.

As it turns out, root vegetables have also been used for medicinal purposes throughout time. We know of the healing properties of garlic, ginseng and ginger, but did you know that burdock is said to promote good skin health or that fennel root is very good for the digestive tract? The list of roots and their remedies is long and impressive.

In general, root vegetables have no fat and are low in calories. They can be an excellent source of protein, and their phytonutrients are proven to have extraordinary health benefits. The phytonutrients include antioxidants which fight free radicals in our bodies. The phytonutrients are associated with the color of the vegetable, and the more intense a vegetable's color is, the more phytonutrients it contains. So those intensely red beets? Chock full of healthy antioxidants. Bright orange carrots good for the eyes? A glass of carrot juice contains about 45,000 IU of vitamin A. That's gotta be good for something!