Vitamin A is essential for your body and carrots are a great source for this nutrient. This fat-soluble compound is involved in a huge number of processes in the body:
- Vitamin A is essential for vision since it’s responsible for the production of photosensitive pigments in the retina. Vitamin A deficiency may lead to blindness, especially in children.
- With a lack of this vitamin, the mucous membranes become thinner which means that viruses and bacteria can easily penetrate through the nose.
- Vitamin A accelerates the healing of wounds.
- Vitamin A maintains brain and bone health.
- Vitamin A is responsible for normal function of the immune system.
Unfortunately, our body is not able to produce vitamin A. The only way to get it is to eat foods that contain this vitamin. Find out products that contain more vitamin A than carrots.
1. Beef Liver
100 grams of beef liver contains about 9,000 micrograms of vitamin A, which is much more than the daily recommended intake. But an overdose is impossible. In addition, beef liver contains a lot of protein, copper, iron, folic acid, and vitamins B2 and B12.
2. Pork Liver Sausage
Vitamin A is retained in the liver, therefore it’s not surprising that any product made with liver contains a lot of vitamin A. Liver sausage is no exception since it contains more than 8,300 micrograms per 100 grams.
3. Cod Liver Oil
One tablespoon of cod liver oil contains over 4,000 micrograms of vitamin A. In addition, this type of fish oil provides the body with the necessary amount of vitamin D and essential omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Lamb’s Liver
In a boiled or fried liver, the lamb has more than 7,000 micrograms of vitamin A per 100 grams. In addition, lamb’s liver is a great source of other vitamins and microelements which are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Its high content of iron can prevent anemia and normalize hemoglobin levels.
5. Sweet potato
One whole sweet potato contains more than 1,400 micrograms of vitamin A. But as in all plants including carrots, this vitamin in sweet potatoes is contained in the form of beta-carotene. Our body needs fats to absorb it, therefore it’s recommended to add a little fat to the sweet potato, in the form of butter or sour cream.
6. Spinach
One serving of spinach contains one and a half times more vitamin A than raw carrots. In addition, Spinach contains a lot of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, and selenium. It is also rich in proteins, carbohydrates, starch, and organic acids.
The beneficial substances that are found in spinach improve the gastrointestinal tract and help the body control blood sugar levels. Spinach also strengthens the immune system, improves vision, helps fight cellulite, and cleanses the skin.
7. Pumpkin
In ancient times, pumpkin was considered the raw material for the manufacture of medicines. People made ointments from it and used it in folk medicine as a remedy for helminths. Avicenna recommended a pumpkin as a remedy against constipation since it has a laxative effect.
Pumpkin is a great source of vitamins. It contains 4-5 times more carotenes than carrots. Carotenes in the body turn into vitamin A. Pumpkin also contains vitamins C, E, K, and almost all B vitamins and therefore this vegetable will be a good replacement for vitamin therapy.
Pumpkin is low in calories therefore is considered an ideal dietary product because it doesn’t contain starch, cholesterol, and trans fats but it’s full of fiber which is beneficial for digestion.
