What is the Raw Carrot Salad Social Media Trend?
The Bottom Line
Raw carrot salad is a social media trend, with videos promising hormone balance, fewer acne breakouts, and improved digestion after salad consumption. Carrots contain fiber that may help regulate digestion, but there is no proven association between raw carrot consumption and hormone balance. Additionally, eating large amounts of carrots may result in unwanted side effects.
What is the raw carrot salad recipe?
Raw carrot salad is a health food trend, and the hashtag “rawcarrotsalad” is incorporated into videos that have been watched more than ten million times on TikTok. The raw carrot salad recipe includes (obviously) one or two raw carrots that are grated using a food processor or hand peeler, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and salt and pepper. Reported benefits of eating this salad include hormonal balance, reduced acne breakouts, and better digestion.
Are raw carrots healthier than cooked carrots?
While both raw and cooked carrots are an excellent source of many nutrients, cooking vegetables can alter their nutritional benefits, flavor, and color. Boiling may reduce the beta-carotene content of carrots, but steaming is associated with a significant increase in beta-carotene content. Since the heating process breaks down compounds that contribute to vegetable flavor, the taste of cooked carrots may differ from that of raw carrots.
What are health benefits of raw carrot salad?
Carrots contain many biologically active compounds, or phytochemicals, which are associated with multiple health benefits. Common phytochemicals found in carrots include carotenoids (like beta-carotene), vitamin C, and phenolic compounds. Carotenoids are a significant source of vitamin A, and are associated with antioxidant activity, normal immune function, and healthy vision. Like carotenoids, vitamin C also has antioxidant activity in the human body. Phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and anthocyanins, may play a role in cholesterol metabolism and have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging activity. Carrots are also a good source of dietary fiber and trace elements like molybdenum and manganese.
Does eating raw carrot salad balance hormones?
Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, and some research studies suggest that vitamin A consumption may decrease the risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer in some women. However, there is no evidence that consumption of raw carrot salad is effective in balancing hormones. Ray Peat, an American biologist, reported that women who ate a “carrot diet” had decreased blood estrogen levels and reduced premenstrual symptoms and migraines. However, there are no scientific studies or publications to support this claim.
What are side effects of eating raw carrots?
Consumption of large amounts of foods rich in carotenoids, like carrots, can cause a condition called “carotenemia”. This condition is characterized by yellow-orange skin discoloration that affects the palms, soles, and other areas of skin with lots of sweat glands. Eating large amounts of squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and other food sources of carotenoids can also cause carotenemia, and even green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and spinach, may contain carotenoids. The disorder has also been reported after ingestion of nutritional supplements that contain high levels of carotenoids. Carotenemia is typically a harmless condition that resolves after excess carotenoids are eliminated from the diet. Although affected patients may appear jaundiced, a physical examination and blood testing can help differentiate carotenemia from liver disease, cancer, or other serious medical conditions. Unlike jaundice, carotenemia doesn’t affect the white part of the eyes (sclera) or mucous membranes.
Can eating raw carrots cause a skin rash?
Carrots, along with other vegetables like parsley, celery, and parsnips, contain compounds called furocoumarins. When people eat carrots, small amounts of carrots or carrot juice may remain on their skin. When that skin is exposed to sunlight, a reaction occurs between the furocoumarins and human DNA. This reaction causes a condition called “phytophotodermatitis” that is characterized by skin rashes, swelling, and blistering. The blistering can be quite painful, and severe cases may require hospitalization or treatment with steroids or burn dressings. In some cases, permanent scarring can occur after the blisters resolve.
What are the benefits of carrot juice?
Similar to raw carrots, carrot juice contains high levels of biologically active phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Some research suggests that drinking carrot juice may have a beneficial effect on weight management in people with type 2 diabetes. Although carrot juice is associated with potential health benefits, commercially manufactured carrot juices have also rarely been implicated as a cause of botulism, so these drinks should be consumed with caution.
What do you do if the raw carrot salad makes you sick?
If someone experiences worrisome effects after eating a raw carrot salad, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist
For media inquiries, please contact Krista Osterthaler at osterthaler@poison.org.
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Eat all foods in moderation.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice yellow-orange discoloration of your skin. A blood test can help differentiate carotenemia from true jaundice.
- Be wary of social media trends that claim to have health benefits, as the influencers who create the videos may have little (or no) medical training.
This Really Happened
Case 1: A 66-year-old woman developed yellow-orange skin discoloration, and sought care from her doctor because she was concerned that she had liver disease. Laboratory testing was unremarkable, and jaundice was not present on physical examination although the patient was noted to have significant yellow-orange discoloration on her palms and soles. She denied eating increased amounts of fruits or vegetables, but admitted that she was taking excessive doses of dietary supplements that contained carotene. Instead of taking the recommended dose of two tablets daily, she had consumed six tablets daily. She was diagnosed with carotenemia, and her symptoms gradually resolved after she discontinued use of the dietary supplement.
Case 2: A 24-year-old female made a paste from boiled carrots, and applied the mixture to her left foot for three days in July to treat swelling. During that three-day period, she walked around in the sunny weather. On the third day, she noted the presence of redness and a burning sensation on her left foot. She saw a dermatologist who diagnosed her with phytophotodermatitis. The redness resolved on its own, but she developed abnormal pigmentation of the affected area that lasted for several weeks.
For More Information
TikTok goes wild for ‘new’ raw carrot salad: ‘It changed my life’ (New York Post)
Reasons Why Carrots (of All Colors) Are Healthy For You (Cleveland Clinic)
References
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Eat all foods in moderation.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice yellow-orange discoloration of your skin. A blood test can help differentiate carotenemia from true jaundice.
- Be wary of social media trends that claim to have health benefits, as the influencers who create the videos may have little (or no) medical training.
This Really Happened
Case 1: A 66-year-old woman developed yellow-orange skin discoloration, and sought care from her doctor because she was concerned that she had liver disease. Laboratory testing was unremarkable, and jaundice was not present on physical examination although the patient was noted to have significant yellow-orange discoloration on her palms and soles. She denied eating increased amounts of fruits or vegetables, but admitted that she was taking excessive doses of dietary supplements that contained carotene. Instead of taking the recommended dose of two tablets daily, she had consumed six tablets daily. She was diagnosed with carotenemia, and her symptoms gradually resolved after she discontinued use of the dietary supplement.
Case 2: A 24-year-old female made a paste from boiled carrots, and applied the mixture to her left foot for three days in July to treat swelling. During that three-day period, she walked around in the sunny weather. On the third day, she noted the presence of redness and a burning sensation on her left foot. She saw a dermatologist who diagnosed her with phytophotodermatitis. The redness resolved on its own, but she developed abnormal pigmentation of the affected area that lasted for several weeks.