Potato is considered as a stem vegetable because it grows in underground stems, known as stolons. Potato tubers are considered to be thick stems that have the buds sprouting stems and leaves. Roots do not possess the above mentioned attributes and hence, potato is considered as a stem and not a root.

Like tubers, rhizomes have buds from which new plants sprout. But tubers do not grow horizontally. Powerhouse weeds such as Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) use rhizomes to full advantage, spreading to form monocultures that dominate a landscape.

The main difference between bulbs corms tubers and rhizomes is that the bulbs consist of modified leaves, which store nutrients while the corms are swollen stem bases and the tubers are thick underground stems, and rhizomes are swollen stems that grow horizontally.

Carrots themselves are ancient and naturally occurring, however the modern day, typical orange carrot is a man-made hybrid. Scientists and researchers have traced the carrot back to dinosaur times.

Orange carrots are packed with chemicals called carotenoids—specifically, beta-carotene. Your body turns beta-carotene into vitamin A, which helps you grow and protects you from getting sick. Beta-carotene isn’t just nutritious. It’s also loaded with orange pigment.

The purple ones still do exist, but by far are the minority in the world of carrot colors. Want to try some? Beware — there may be a good reason why purple carrots are now the uncommon breed: the orange ones taste better.

Though all types of carrots are nutritious and healthy, purple carrots contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that have impressive effects on your health. Eating purple carrots may improve heart health, encourage weight loss, and reduce inflammation and your risk of certain cancers.

When it comes to eating carrots and other beta-carotene rich foods, you can, in fact, have too much of a good thing. So good that you can actually develop a condition called carotenemia. “Eating too many beta-carotene filled foods can turn your skin an orangey color,” explains Dr. Piliang.

Eating how many carrots a day is too much? One carrot, on average, has about four mg of beta-carotene in it. Eating about 10 carrots every day for a couple of weeks may cause carotenemia. This occurs due to the deposition of beta-carotene in the skin.

Carotenosis is a benign and reversible medical condition where an excess of dietary carotenoids results in orange discoloration of the outermost skin layer. The discoloration is most easily observed in light-skinned people and may be mistaken for jaundice.

According to a Columbia University health blog, “for carotenemia to set in, you might have to consume as much as 20 milligrams per day (or, three large carrots).” While the condition is seen in adults, it is most common in infants and children, according to the Scientific American.

Carrots are a weight loss friendly vegetable that cleanses the liver, hence, they make an integral part of a detoxifying diet. Adding carrot juice to your daily diet could be one of the most effective ways to lose belly fat.

Q: Are cooked carrots more nutritious than raw? A: Yes, cooked carrots are more nutritious, but you still get plenty of nutrients from raw carrots. Cooking, especially prolonged boiling, does reduce the vitamin content of vegetables.

Carrots. Carrots are full of vitamins, minerals and fibers that are good for your health. But eating too many carrots can bring in too much beta-carotene the molecule responsible for carrots’ bright orange hue and a precursor of vitamin A. This can lead to excess blood carotene which can discolor the skin.

Raw or steamed carrots provide the most nutritional value. Also, carotenoids and vitamin A may absorb better in the presence of fats. For this reason, people should eat carrots with a healthful source of fat, such as avocado, nuts, or seeds.