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Calcium-rich super carrot created

Carrots, Vegetables, Food, Health, Marie Claire Pictures

A super carrot, providing extra calcium has been created by scientists.

The genetically modified vegetable is believed to help prevent brittle bone disease and osteoporosis.

Scientists say the super carrot absorbs 41% more calcium than someone consuming a regular carrot after the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science carried out the study.

It is generally acknowledged that most fruit and vegetables are not the best source of calcium, whilst dairy products are the main dietary source of the mineral. However, too much dairy produce can be detrimental to health, causing excessive levels of saturated fat and a higher risk of heart disease.

Now, the super carrot has arrived, it signifies a potential shift in the benefits of vegetables.

As Dr Jay Morris, from the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas explains: ' Fruit and vegetables are good for you for many reasons, but they have not been a good source of calcium in the past.'

She added: 'The primary goal was to increase the calcium in fruit and vegetables to benefit human health and nutrition.'

Another scientist explained that more research was necessary before the super carrot could hit supermarket shelves.

Wednesday 16 January 2008


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How safe will food modified in this way prove to be? It ranks alongside "genetically modified" foods and as such will not be touched by many people, myself included!
Comment by sharon on January 20 14:52

This is excellent news for vegans and vegetarians as they generaly tend to have a lower calcium intake than meat eaters. My daughter is lactose intorellent and so cannot take as much calcium as her friends do. i am worried about her bone density but I hope these super crrots rreach the market as this would mean a wider range of calcium rich foods she could take.
Comment by Lucy McManus on January 20 11:16

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