A Note About Carrots

Apparently, carrots (beets, broccoli, cabbage, celery, collard greens, lettuce, spinach and turnips, too) have or can have high levels of nitrates. These compounds can be converted to nitrite, which can bind iron in the blood, rendering the iron unable to carry oxygen. Anemia may result if a person consumes enough nitrates. Infants are especially susceptible to nitrate toxicity because of differences in gut flora (the bugs in your intestines that convert certain nutrients) and because of certain enzymes that they have less of than adults do (Greer et al.). The University of Maine cooperative extension suggests limiting intake to 1-2 tablespoons per serving.