“The Health Benefits of Carotenoids: A Look at Their Sources and Uses”

Carotenoids, a type of phytochemical that are phytonutrients, can be found in brightly colored vegetables, fruits, egg yolks, butter, cheese, and seafood. It is found in photosynthetic organisms such as plants, cyanobacteria, and algae and is related to chlorophyll, which absorbs specific wavelengths of light. It protects plant cells from light damage and superoxide radicals and reduces the reactivity of oxygen species. It is beneficial to health and is used in medicine, food, and cosmetics.

Foods containing carotenoids and their health benefits are introduced in the British medical news media ‘New Medical Life Science’.

Carotenoids in vegetables, grains, fish, etc.

There are over 600 types of naturally occurring carotenoids. It is mainly synthesized by plants, fungi and bacteria. Carotenoids are classified according to their composition into carotene, which contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms, and xanthophylls, which contain other oxygenated functional groups.

Carotene is found in mangoes, apricots, grapes, and carrots. Beta-carotene, the most abundant of carotene, can also be found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and lettuce. Lycopene is a carotenoid with a broken ring structure and is found primarily in red-fleshed fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, watermelons, and papayas.

Xanthophylls, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, can be found in green vegetables and grains. Green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, watercress, parsley, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, and broccoli are major sources of lutein, while red and orange bell peppers are rich in zeaxanthin.

In addition to vegetables and fruits, carotenoids are also found in grains such as corn, dairy products, fish, and mammals that accumulate yellow fat. Since carotenoids are lipid soluble, their bioavailability depends on the lipid content of the diet. Also, the presence of other phytochemicals, such as fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and polyphenols, also affects the absorption of carotenoids.

The Many Benefits of Carotenoids

Lycopene, which scavenges free radicalsLycopene is known to help remove free radicals, protecting deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, from oxidative stress and preventing mutations that can cause chronic disease. Various studies have reported the anti-inflammatory properties of carotenoids and their beneficial effects on lipid and blood sugar disorders. Lycopene has been used as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases and has been shown to reduce cholesterol oxidation, enhance antioxidant properties, and reduce oxidative stress.

Reduced risk of diabetes, cancer, etc._ Carotenoids such as beta-carotene lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and lycopene reduces fasting blood sugar levels. Although there are insufficient data on the anti-cancer properties of carotenoids, carotenoid intake is associated with a reduced risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast and prostate cancer. Some studies have reported that the anti-inflammatory properties of lycopene are associated with a reduced risk of various cancers.

Helps treat eye and skin diseases_ Carotenoids have been found to be helpful in treating various eye diseases and skin diseases because they have a protective effect against ultraviolet radiation, and a wide range of cosmeceuticals (cosmeceuticals, a new word combining cosmetics and medicines) contain medically verified ingredients in cosmetics. manufactured products).