A fermented drink made from black carrots offers numerous benefits for general health and specifically for the intestinal flora. Among other things, it has probiotic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
A new study examined the health effects of the ingredients in a traditional Indian drink (kanji) made from black carrots. The results are published in the English-language journal “Current Research in Complementary & Alternative Medicine”.
What is Kanji?
Kanji is very popular in India and is consumed primarily to combat the effects of extreme heat, but also to promote well-being, the researchers report. Kanji is also used as a home remedy for liver diseases and various gastrointestinal complaints as well as to generally promote intestinal health and digestion.
The drink is traditionally made from beetroot and/or grated or diced black carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus). It also contains black mustard (Brassica nigra) and black pepper (Piper nigrum). Natural lactic acid fermentation takes care of the rest.
Kanji not only helps to meet nutritional needs, but also offers far-reaching health benefits. For example, fermented drinks like Kanji contain compounds that serve as prebiotics for beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and can promote their growth, the team reports.
These beneficial gut bacteria are associated with numerous health benefits, such as improved digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as potential immune system support, experts add.
Kanji has also been proven to have a diuretic effect, calm the digestive tract and strengthen the liver. In addition, studies have shown that black carrots (the main ingredient in kanji) are powerful free radical scavengers and protect against oxidative stress, the experts add. The antioxidant capacity exceeds that of orange carrots.
Thanks to its probiotic properties, Kanji also helps with the assimilation of cholesterol and the carrot drink has antimicrobial properties against pathogenic bacteria. Kanji is also a promising source of vitamin B12, according to the research team.
Anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties
The Brassica nigra seeds contained in Kanji have significant anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties and have also shown potential in studies for treating malaria and COVID-19, the researchers report. They could also protect against oxidative stress and tissue damage.
With its antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties, Brassica nigra also shows potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
How healthy black carrots are is also confirmed by another study, the results of which were published in the English-language journal “Trends in Food Science & Technology”. The researchers attest that black carrots have a remarkable anthocyanin profile as well as a high content of numerous other flavonoids, which are known to protect against various degenerative diseases.
Also read:
- Black carrots are so healthy
- Nutrition: Carrots not only strengthen the immune system and brain
- Black Pepper: Spice with many health benefits
Prepare kanji yourself
If you would like to try out Kanji, you will find numerous German-language recipes online that you can prepare at home. However, you should make sure that black carrots are also included in order to benefit from the health benefits mentioned here. (as)
