Beta-Carotene
Benefits of Beta-Carotene
- Vision*
- Pregnancy
- From: UK
- Food source: Orange, red and dark green vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach and kale, and orange fruits such as mango and apricots.
What is Beta-Carotene?
Plants contain red, orange and yellow pigments called 'carotenoids' that give them their colours. One type of carotenoid is 'beta-carotene', which gives vegetables like carrots and pumpkins their distinctive and vibrant colour. Beta-carotene is particularly important because our body can convert it into Vitamin A.
What does Beta-Carotene do?
Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, and Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.* Vitamin A helps to convert the light that hits your eye into an electrical signal that goes to your brain. It is a component of 'rhodopsin', a pigment in your retina that is very sensitive to light, so it's responsible for vision adaptation in the dark. Researchers have looked at dietary carotenoid and vitamin A, E and C intake in relation to eye health as we age.
Beta-Carotene also has antioxidant activity, meaning it can 'scavenge' and neutralise 'free radicals'. Its role in the eye, alongside the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, has been the subject of detailed review.
Beta-Carotene also becomes relevant during pregnancy, as women need more vitamin A when they are carrying a baby and when they are breastfeeding. You can read more about the role of vitamin A in pregnancy. Getting beta-carotene through a varied diet is one way to get enough of this vital vitamin.
*Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
You may also enjoy reading 'Tips for better eye health' and 'A nutritionist recommended pregnancy diet guide'.
Bilberry
Bilberry is an antioxidant, supporting the retinal function, helping maintain eye health, and providing a natural defence against free radicals.
Carrot
We all know carrots are good for us and this is because they're packed with nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, that all work to benefit the health of your body.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a compound responsible for the bright red colour it gives to tomatoes, grapefruits and watermelons, among other fruits and vegetables. It is characterised by its high 'antioxidant' content which is the highest among carotenoid pigments.
Marigold Extract
Marigolds are a group of ornamental flowers, grown around the world for their bright orange, yellow and red petals. It is these distinct colours that also make them excellent for our health.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin contains a variety of vitamins and nutrients with excellent health benefits, especially for our eyes.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is vital for our immune system, fighting off infections and in the production of white blood cells. It is also essential for healthy skin, vision and eye health.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 is an antioxidant, a compound that keeps the number of unstable molecules (known as ‘free radicals') at a healthy level in the body.
Vitamin E
One of Vitamin E’s main benefits is that it acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants combat harmful ‘free radicals’ (unstable molecules), helping prevent damage to cell membranes.
