The Complete Guide to Beta-Carotene: Provitamin Benefits, Sources, and Risks

A provitamin? Maybe you’ve never heard of that. Time to change that! Provitamins are ingredients that your body can convert into a vitamin all by itself. Beta-carotene is such a provitamin. Your body can convert this substance into vitamin A. Curious? Here you can read all about the provitamin beta-carotene!

Is beta carotene the same as vitamin A?

Beta-carotene is not the same as vitamin A, at least until your body has converted it. When you ingest the substance beta-carotene, your body converts it into vitamin A. After the conversion, beta-carotene has the same benefits as vitamin A.

What does beta carotene do to your body?

A lot of research is being done into the possible health benefits of beta-carotene in food and supplements. These are possible positive effects of beta-carotene on your health:

• Beta-carotene protects healthy cells and tissues as an antioxidant.

• In situations where you demand a lot from your body, such as sports, stress or heavy work, extra antioxidants from vegetables, fruit or supplements can be useful.

• Beta-carotene can protect the skin against UV radiation and sunlight.

That sounds good, right? Keep in mind that more scientific research is needed to prove these effects.

What contains a lot of beta-carotene?

Beta-carotene is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach or cabbage. Carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes and tangerines are also rich in this provitamin. Do you have a colorful one? traybake made? The brightly colored yellow pepper pieces and orange carrots owe their color to, drum roll, beta-carotene! You can get beta-carotene from food, but there are also nutritional supplements containing this substance.

Is beta carotene harmful?

Your body does not convert more beta-carotene into vitamin A than it needs. As a result, taking beta-carotene does not cause excessive vitamin A levels and you can see it as a safe form of taking vitamin A. Despite this, beta-carotene does have its own acceptable upper limit of 15 milligrams per day.

Do you smoke? Then pay extra attention to this limit. Smokers may be at increased risk of lung cancer if they consume more than 15 milligrams of beta-carotene. Even if you do not smoke, it is wise to stick to this limit. Too much beta-carotene can cause your skin to turn orange. A case of, you are what you eat? No thanks!