Many a mother has tried to coerce her child into eating carrots by telling him that this vegetable is good for him. Now British and Danish scientists have found that eating carrots that may actually prevent cancer.

Researchers at Newcastle University and the University of Southern Denmark are reporting in today’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that it is possible that falcarinol, a natural toxin found in carrots, reduced the risk of rats developing cancer. This substance prevents carrots from diseases during the growth period.

The team observed 24 rats, all of whom had pre-cancerous tumors. The rats were separated in to three groups of eight, and over 18 weeks, fed three different diets. The rats who were fed carrots and those who had an equal does of falcarinol in their food, did better than those who received neither, developing one-third less cancer.

Kristen Brandt, one of the researchers pointed out that until this study, scientists had not isolated the property in carrots that make them so beneficial. 'We now need to take it a step further by finding out how much falcarinol is needed to prevent the development of cancer and if certain types of carrot are better than others, as there are many varieties in existence, of different shapes, colors and sizes,” she said.

Carrots contain vitamin A, which can prevent blindness in children. However, too much vitamin A can be toxic and there is also a risk over overdosing from carotene, another element found in the carrot.