Β-Carotene
Beta-carotene is a carotenoid (similar to lycopene) found in carrots and is responsible for their orange colour. Due to its ability to absorb UV and light it is useful to support photosynthesis in plants (the ability to turn carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen using light energy) and the same properties make it an efficient photo protectant in the skin.
Beta-carotene is an important supplement as it can also be converted into Vitamin A (also known as retinol). This conversion occurs in the small intestine during digestion and absorption. The great thing is that it will only make as much Vitamin A as the body needs so you need never worry about getting too much!
β-carotene is found mainly in carrots and pumpkins
You need to eat 100 grams of cooked carrots to get 9 mg of β-carotene
Benefits:
- A fat-soluble precursor to Vitamin A.
- A potent antioxidant.
- Reported to decrease oxidative stress and slow cognitive decline.
Did you know…
The rumour that carrots are good for your eyesight was started by the military during WWII to protect the discovery of their new invention, the radar?
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