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Beta Carotene

Carotenes, especially beta-carotene, occurs abundantly in the natural plant world. It is estimated that more than 500 different carotenoids such as ß-carotene, α -carotene, lutein, cryptoxanthins, zeaxanthins, etc., are distributed throughout the plant and algae kingdoms. Although many of these have proven independent functions, around 50 or more can be metabolized to vitamin A inside the human body.

ß-carotene is the most prevalent carotenoid in the plant sources of the food chain and, for the same reason, is also known as pro-vitamin A.

Roughly, 6 µg (range varies widely 6-18 µg) of ß-carotene is equal to 1 RE (Retinol equivalents) or 3.33 IU of vitamin-A.

fruit and vegetables rich in carotenes
Fruits and vegetables rich in ß-carotene.

Beta Carotene Health benefits

  • Being an important flavonoid compound, beta-carotene has powerful antioxidant functions that help the body scavenge free radicals, and thereby limiting damage to cell membranes, DNA, and protein structures in the tissues.

  • Research studies suggest that dietary intake of foods high in ß-carotene has a positive association with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as oral cavity and lung cancers.

  • Up on conversion to vitamin-A by the enzymes in the intestinal wall, it performs all the functions of vitamin-A such as visual cycle, reproduction (gametes production), maintenance of epithelial functions, growth, and development.



Natural sources of beta-carotene

Almost all the green-yellow-orange (GYO) vegetables and fruits are rich sources of beta-carotene. Some of the common vegetables/fruits/herbs/nuts per 100 g of weight with the highest content of ß-carotenes are:

Vegetables: ß-carotene/100 g
Brussel sprouts 450 µg
Butternut-squash 4226 µg
Carrots 8285 µg
Collard greens 3842 µg
Endive 1500 µg
French beans 379 µg
Kale 9226 µg
Lettuce 5226 µg
Mustard greens 6300 µg
Pumpkin 3100 µg
Spinach 5626 µg
Sweet potato 8509 µg
Swiss chard 3647 µg
Tomato 449 µg
Watercress 1914 µg
Fruits:
Apricots 1,094 µg
Cantaloupes 2,020 µg
Guava 374 µg
Mango 445 µg
Orange 71 µg
Papaya 276 µg
Persimmon fruit 253 µg
Plums 190 µg
Watermelon 303 µg
Herbs:
Basil 3,142 µg
Cilantro 3,930 µg
Parsley 5,054 µg
Thyme 2,264 µg
Nuts and seeds:
Pistachio 332 µg
Walnuts 12 µg

(Source: USDA National Nutrient Database).

Beta Carotene supplements?

The benefits of beta carotene supplements, however, have surprisingly unexpected results. Two large-scale prospective randomized studies on high-risk cigarette smokers; 1. ß-carotene (α-tocopherol, ß-carotene (ATBC) Cancer Prevention Study and, 2. the ß-carotene and retinal efficacy trial (CARET) found that ß-carotene supplementation indeed increased the rate of lung cancer in the group.

On the contrary, as mentioned above, high dietary intake of foods rich in ß-carotene is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancers. However, ß-carotene supplementation appears harmful to health, especially in high-risk smokers.


Carotenemia

The consumption of excess plant sources of beta-carotene results in the deposition of carotenes in the skin, and tissues could lead to a harmless condition known as carotenemia. The state recedes in itself once foods rich in carotenes are withdrawn from the diet. (Medical disclaimer:)


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Further reading and References:

Stanford School of Medicine Cancer information Page- Nutrition to Reduce Cancer Risk.



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