This article explains the nutritional value of cherry tomato by investigating the compositional pattern of berries harvested at different ripening stages and evaluating, in particular, all the main antioxidants (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and alpha-tocopherol) and the antioxidant activity of the water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions.

Cherry tomato Nutrition facts studies confirmed the relatively high level of carotenoids in cherry tomato but showed that not all biologically active compounds necessarily increase in tomatoes picked at later stages of ripeness, whereas, no significant differences in ascorbic acid content were observed at different ripening stages, while the main phenolics content and the antioxidant activity of water-soluble fraction showed slight, but significant, decreases at later stages of ripeness.

Cherry tomatoes at full ripeness shows the highest level of carotenoids and antioxidant activity in the water-insoluble fraction.

• Eggplant Nutrition Facts
• Tomato Nutrition Facts
• Nutrition Facts @ PurelyFacts.com

Tomato Nutrition Facts on Tomatos and Cell Damage

In a study on tomato nutrition facts, 10 healthy women ate a diet containing two ounces of tomato puree each day for three weeks, either preceded by or followed by a tomato-free diet for three weeks, and the researchers measured blood levels of lycopene and evaluated oxidative damage to cells before and after each phase.

They found that cell damage dropped by 33% to 42% after consuming the tomato diet!

Tomato Nutrition Facts on Lycopene

A review of 72 different studies showed consistently that the more tomatoes and tomato products people eat, the lower their risks of many different kinds of cancer. The secret may lie in lycopene, the chemical that makes tomatoes red, said Dr. Edward Giovannucci, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Among the studies he reviewed, 57 showed that the more tomatoes one ate, the lower the risk of cancer. “The evidence for benefit was strongest for cancers of the prostate, lung, and stomach,” he reported.

Tomato Nutrition Facts on Getting more Lycopene

Processed tomatoes (e.g. canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup) contain even more lycopene because cooking breaks down cell walls, releasing and concentrating carotenoids. Eating tomatoes with a small amount of fat enables lycopene to be better absorbed.

On the minus side, as a nightshade relative, tomatoes contain glycoalkaloids, which some people believe contribute to arthritis symptoms. Research, however, has not backed this up.

• Cherry Tomato Nutrition Facts at Different Ripening Stages
• Eggplant Nutrition Facts
• Nutrition Facts @ PurelyFacts.com

1. Seeding

The carrot seed is sown with a fine seed planter on a well-prepared seedbed at the optimal time in February.

2. Seedbed

Carrot seeds are grown in open field seedbeds, thus the carrot plant health is very important during this stage.

3. Carrot transplanting

Carrot seeds are normally transplant ready approx 120 days after seeding.

The carrot plants are transplanted at optimal plant populations.

4. Growing

During re-growing of the carrot plants, special care is given to irrigation, weed, insect and disease control.

5. Pollination

Bees are very important for pollination and special attention is required to prevent practices that will negatively influence bee activity.

6. Flowering stage

Carrot plants flowering starts as early as September and special attention should be given to irrigation.

7. Harvesting

Harvesting is done either by hand or with a combine at an optimal ripening stage to ensure good carrot seed quality.

8. Final seed cleaning

Carrot Seed cleaning is done at the carrot seed processing plant to comply with client and ISTA standards before packaging.

9. Packaging

Carrot Seeds that comply to all the required standards as tested by the Carrot Seed ISTA accredited lab and are packed according to standards or client requirements for shipping.

10. Distribution

Carrot Seeds are shipped upon client instructions either by road, sea or air.

• Carrot Seed Production
• Carrot Seed Essential Oil Health Benefits Facts

Carrot Seed Temperature Requirements

The carrot is a cool weather crop and it is not really intolerant towards the cold of winter and frost. During winter the plant develops more slowly than during the warmer spring and summer months.

The carrot seed is also tolerant towards a good deal of heat and can therefore be cultivated right through the year in South Africa.

Carrot Seed Production Soil Requirements

Carrots seeds do best in a deep, well-drained sandy loam or slightly acid loam soil.

In heavy humus-rich soils carrot seeds tend to have too much growth in the leaves and to form forked roots.

Avoid Brackish soils.

A general recommendation is that 1 000 kg of the fertiliser mix (2:3:4 (24) per hectare) should be worked into the soil before planting.

A top-dressing of 100 to 200 kg limestone ammonium nitrate per hectare is applied about 8 weeks after sowing.

Compost or kraal manure is not recommended.

Carrot seeds are intolerant towards a boron deficiency and in an area where it is known that there is a boron deficiency, boron could be applied with safety, because carrot seeds are tolerant towards an excess of boron in the soil.

Carrot Seed Cultivation methods

Carrot seed is sown directly on the land. The soil should be well-prepared, even and fine.

Flood irrigation before emergence of the carrot seed could cause the soil to crust and this could lead to a poor stand.

A system of crop rotation is important to eliminate problems with diseases.

Carrot seeds fit in very well in a crop rotation system where plants like cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and tomatoes are grown.

A general recommendation is that carrots should not be planted in the same soil more than once every 3 to 4 years. Weeds should not compete with the carrot seeds.

Carrot Seed Sowing seasons

For seed production the sowing season is between February and March. About 4 kg carrot seed per ha is sown.

Carrot seed are preferably sown in rows instead of broadcasting the carrot seeds, because it makes weed control easier.

During the warm summer month’s extensive losses could occur among seedlings due to wilt.

Carrot Seed Water requirements

The moisture content of the soil influences the form and colour of carrots.

A deficiency in soil humidity results in longer carrots.

Very wet conditions lead to a shorter and thicker carrot with a light colour.

As a general guideline it could be accepted that carrots need about 25 mm water per week.

In warm, dry conditions 50 mm would be necessary.

Carrot Seed Pollination and harvesting

Carrots are cross-pollinated plants and the flowers are visited by a large number of insects.

Honeybees, wasps, different kinds of beetles and butterflies are often seen on the flowers.

When the seed is ready to be harvested and it is produced on a small scale, the ripe seed buds should be cut off and spread on a concrete floor or sheet to dry.

When the plants are well dried, the root end is cut off and the plants fed into a threshing machine.

Carrot Seed is also still tread out with a tractor on a concrete floor.

Afterwards the carrot seed is winnowed out as well as possible before it is supplied to the seed merchant.

A good average seed crop is about 600 to 800 kg/ha.

This will depend on the cultivar.

Cultivars like Cape Market and Chantenay form stronger and lusher plants and they produce more seed than for instance Nantes.

The most significant diseases in carrots are Alternaria blight, bacterial blight and root rot as a result of fungi. Aphids, red spider, eelworm, bollworm on seed buds and whitefly are the most important insect pests.

• Carrot Seed Production Basic Facts
• Carrot Seed Essential Oil Health Benefits Facts

Carrot Seed Essential Oil Medicinal Properties and Health Facts

Anti Oxidant

Carrot Seed essential oil can retain your youth and look refreshingly young when your friends start aging.

Anti oxidants can repair all the damages done to your tissues by the oxidants (free radicals) and stop them from doing further harm.

Anti oxidants do not let your skin go wrinkled, your hair white, joints go immovable, your muscles go loose and your eyes lose eyesight.

Anti oxidants can work other miracles too, like, protect you from Macular Degeneration, sexual weakness, weak digestion, some forms of cancer and other problems related to aging.

Anti Septic, Anti Viral & Disinfectant

Carrot Seed essential oil can cure infections, protect you from them and has anti septic properties, that is, it can prevent tetanus.

Externally applied, Carrot Seed essential oil can cure infections on skin and in wounds and even protect from new infections.

Internally taken, it helps cure infections of throat, mouth, colon, stomach, intestines and urinary system.

It is miraculously effective in curing sores, gangrene, psoriasis, ulcers, rashes, carbuncles and such problems, even curing viral infection of the whole respiratory system, thus benefiting in bronchitis.

It is effective in fighting other viral infections such as in case of flu, mumps, cough and cold, measles etc.

Detoxifier

Carrot Seed essential oil has ability to detoxify the blood, tissues, muscles and internal organs like liver and kidneys.

It can neutralize excess bile secreted from liver and can help cure infection of liver in cases of jaundice.

It removes accumulation of toxins like uric acid from the blood, tissues, muscles and joints, thereby helping cure edema, arthritis, gout, rheumatism etc.

Carcinogenic

Recent studies have shown the Carrot Seed essential oil is beneficial in curing some forms of cancer too, especially those of mouth, throat, stomach, prostrate, kidneys etc.

These anti carcinogenic properties can be attributed partly to its anti oxidant properties, and partly to the other medicinal properties of its components.

Carminative

Carrot Seed essential oil will remove the gases from the intestines, if you have a bloated stomach.

Depurative

Carrot Seed essential oil can purify all the organic systems inside our body, particularly the circulatory, digestive and the excretory systems.

Carrot Seed essential oil removes toxins like uric acid, urea, insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals which get into our body with our food and water and help restore their health.

Diuretic

Carrot Seed essential oil is diuretic in nature.

Carrot Seed essential oil increases urination.

It may seem that there is no apparent benefit of this property, but you will be surprised to see that urination alone can keep you safe from many ailments.

Each time you urinate, some fat (almost 4% of the volume of water), a lot of toxic substances (uric acid, bile, poisonous stuffs etc.) and microbes causing infections in the urinary system and otherwise, are removed from the body with urine.

Then it reduces blood pressure and cleans the kidneys. It is also helpful in clearing renal calculi.

Emenagogue

Emenagogue is a property which makes menstruations easy, less painful and regular.

This helps when somebody is suffering from irregular and obstructed menses.

Stimulant

Carrot Seed essential oil is also a stimulant.

Carrot Seed essential oil stimulates circulation and metabolism.

It also stimulates secretion of hormones, enzymes, gastric juices, bile and the peristaltic motion of the intestines, thus keeping all the organic systems active.

It also stimulates brain functions and nerves, thus making you more alert and active.

Cytophylactic

Carrot Seed essential oil stimulates the growth of new cells and tissues.

Tonic

Carrot Seed essential oil tones.

It tones up tissues and muscles and increases their efficiencies; it tones liver, stomach and the whole digestive system, regulates flow of digestive juices and brings the digestive system to order; it tones skin and prevents it from hanging loose.

Vermifuge

Carrot Seed essential oil can kill…

…the worms in your intestines.

It may help children get rid of this annoying problem.

Other Benefits

Carrot Seed essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy due to its mild and soothing earthy aroma which is very effective in relieving stress and anxiety and gives a refreshing feeling.

It is good on skin and protects it from wrinkles.

It also relieves muscle aches, cures anorexia, enhances production of erythrocytes and improves eye sight, brightness etc.

Blending

Although blending is conditional and there are different blends for different purposes, Carrot Seed Essential Oil goes well with Bergamot, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Avocado, Cedar Wood and Geranium oil.

Few Words of Caution: Pregnant ladies should avoid, otherwise no threat.

• Male Urinary Tract Infection
• Carrot Seed Production Basic Facts
• Carrot Seed Production
• Carrot Seed Essential Oil Facts
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• Eggplant Nutrition Facts

Wild Carrot, scientifically named as Daucus Carota, is common in Europe and is also known by another name “Queen Anne’s Lace” there.

Apart from the components like Alpha Pinene, Beta Pinene, Gamma Terpinene, Limonene, Camphene, Sabinene, Myrcene, Beta Bisabolene, Carotol and Geranyl Acetate, Carrot Seed oil is rich in Carotene and Vitamin-A, both of which are blessings for eyes and effective anti oxidants.

Carrot Seed Essential Oil Basic Facts

Botanical Name: Daucus carota

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Golden Yellow

Consistency: Thin – Medium

Perfumery Note: Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium – Strong, Lingering Aroma

Aromatic Description: Earthy, woody, warm. It does not resemble the smell of carrots and is considered harsh or unpleasant by some.

Possible Uses Of Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Eczema, gout, mature skin, toxin build-up, water retention.

By Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Pg 57-60

Constituents of Carrot Seed Essential Oil

A-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, y-terpinene, limonene, B-bisabolene, geranyl acetate, Carotol.

By B. Lawrence, “Carrot Seed Oil,” Perfumer & Flavorist, August/September 1980, Pg 29

Cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997) Pg 149

Safety Information When Using Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Robert Tisserand, in Essential Oil Safety, does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil.

By Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), Pg 204.

• Carrot Seed Essential Oil Health Benefits Facts

Read on for more eggplant nutrition facts.

Eggplant Facts

You must be loving its deep glossy purple color, but do you really know about the eggplant nutrition facts?

Eggplants are round, oblong shaped vegetables, that are found in various colors like deep purple, white and lavender and at times even orange.

They are available all throughout the year in markets, but are best to be bought in between august and October because that’s when they are in season.

The eggplant, also known as the purple pear, belongs to the family of nightshade vegetables, known as ‘Solanaceae’.

Other members of this family include, tomatoes and bell peppers and the eggplant grows in a way, very similar to that of tomatoes.

Speaking of eggplant nutrition facts, one must know for a fact, that as compared to other vegetables, the nutritional value of an eggplant may not be that high.

However, it still contains some very essential nutrients and even some medicinal properties that, are highly beneficial for the human body.

Nutrition Facts of Eggplant

Eggplants are rich sources of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals and contain very less calories. This makes it an ideal component of the low fat diets and the diets of those working on weight loss. Other essential minerals contained in eggplant include potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper.

Eggplants are very important sources of phytonutrients, which is obtained from their deep purple color.

Phytonutrients

This is the most important nutrients that eggplants contain.

They contain phytonutrients like flavonoids, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid.

The flavonoid Nasunin in eggplants, has high levels of antioxidant properties and is known to be a scavenger of free radicals, thus protecting the cells of the body. Nasunin is also known for its ability to protect the fats surrounding the cell membrane of the brain.

The chlorogenic acid it contains is known to be the most potent antioxidant that displays antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor abilities and plays an important role in the prevention of many diseases.

Dietary Fiber

Eggplants provide dietary fiber in abundance which is essential for regulating and facilitating smooth bowel movements. The dietary fiber in eggplant also helps, lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. One cup serving of eggplant would contain approximately 10% of the recommended dietary fiber.

Vitamins

Eggplants contain vitamins like vitamin C and b-vitamins, but they are not very high in content.

One cup cooked serving of eggplant would contain approximately 2-5% of the recommended vitamin B1, vitamin B-3, vitamin B-6 and vitamin C.

Nicotine

A very interesting nutritional fact about eggplants are that they contain trace amounts of nicotine, which is absolutely harmless to the body.

The nicotine levels in eggplants are way less than that in cigarettes.

Potassium

One cup serving of eggplant contains around 3% of the recommended potassium intake.

The potassium in the eggplants is beneficial for those suffering from low blood pressure levels and it also regulates the beating of the heart.

Calories

Calories and fats are something, that the eggplant contains the least and this is what makes it a healthy component of daily diet.

• Cherry Tomato Nutrition Facts at Different Ripening Stages
• Avocado Nutrition Facts
• Tomato Nutrition Facts
• Carrot Seed Essential Oil Health Benefits Facts
• Nutrition Facts @ PurelyFacts.com