Back to our roots: crunch into a carrot and you're likely to get a health boost for your entire body.(FOOD: FRESH PICKED)(Recipe)

CARROTS: Blood Sugar Friend or Foe?

When the South Beach Diet and other low-glycemic plans burst onto the weight-loss scene, carrots suddenly became nutritional pariahs. Why? Some medical experts believe that foods with a higher glycemic index are more likely to increase blood glucose levels, thereby perpetuating a vicious cycle of cravings. However, others weren't so quick to agree, mainly because glycemic index numbers fail to reflect typical serving sizes. "What's so deceptive is that glycemic indexes give the impression that starchy foods like bread and spaghetti are only a little worse than fruits and vegetables," says Rob Thompson, MD, author of the Glycemic-Load Diet. The glycemic load is essentially a readjusted version of the glycemic index. "Correcting glycemic indexes for serving size exposes refined carbs as the culprits they really are," says Thompson, who adds that you would need to eat 30 raw carrots to get the same glucose shock as from one bagel!--NB

In the glamorous world of leafy greens, it's easy to forget our roots. Especially carrots: humble, dense and unsophisticated, they're just not as alluring as succulent summer squash or exotic artichokes. But coming from deep within the earth, they're nurturing and solid, offering grounding and comfort in a way frivolous fennel or waiflike green beans could only hope to achieve. And they're packed with compounds that can help prevent disease.

Why Carrots Make Health Sense

Carrots contain a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C and K, potassium and B vitamins. They're also loaded with fiber and alpha- and beta-carotene, potent antioxidants that have been linked to a reduction in heart disease and cancer.

Here are some other healthy highlights to consider:

* In a recent study from the Journal of Epidemiology, high levels of alpha- and beta-carotenes in the body were associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.