The Juice Of Carrots

Published on: June 28, 2003

by By Ira Rosenstein, Co-Producer "Shopping Smart" with Phil Lempert

Think of Vitamin A as a form of magic. This molecule-- because that's what a vitamin is-- cooperates as a co-enzyme with the body's natural enzymes (an enzyme is a molecule that starts a chemical reaction) to perform all sorts of amazing functions. It appears Vitamin A can mop up dangerous free radicals-- those marauding bits of molecules that damage cells and help start cancers. It makes our skin and lining tissues healthy, keeping out pathogens. It strengthens eyesight. It's an antioxidant, stopping the sort of biological "rusting" that leads to clogged arteries and heart disease. It may help white blood cells fight infections more powerfully.

No plant has Vitamin A, but many contain a pigment called Beta Carotene, which the body easily converts into Vitamin A.

One mighty vessel of Beta Carotene is our orange friend the carrot. I eat them because they're healthy, sometimes cooked and sometimes raw, but in truth I'm not wild about the taste. I was wondering if some juices I've seen might be a better way for me to..well, bring the magic inside.

So I've lined up three candidates: Hollywood Carrot Juice, Odwalla Organic Carrot Juice, and Samantha Classics Carrot Orange Fruit Drink. All, of course, are chock full of Beta Carotene, plus have loads of Potassium (a needed mineral), and a smaller measure of additional nutrients like Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. Health-wise you can't go wrong with any of them.

But taste counts-- with you and with me. Eating and drinking should be a pleasure, not a chore.

Let's sip.

Hollywood Carrot Juice. Ah! I'm sorry. It's taste like this that gives "health food" a bad name. It's devoid of flavorfulness-- and what's left is hard to take.

Odwalla Organic Carrot Juice. Definitely better. A smoother, thicker taste, pleasant and devoid of harshness. Nicely done.

Samantha Classics Carrot Orange Fruit Drink. The best of the three for taste. Initially the orange predominates, but then the carrot kicks in and there's a strong flavorful kick to it-- you want to drink more!

Two out of three ain't bad, and it's three out of three for health. As for Hollywood Carrot Juice's disagreeable taste-- combine it with orange juice and the hybrid taste is all right, and the healthiness supreme. Or just swig your Odwalla or Samantha straight. As I've written in other taste tests-- the old dichotomy between "good for you" and "tastes good" is going away, and, my friends, you're running out of excuses for not enjoying great health.