Beta Carotene is a compound that gives vivid yellow, orange, and red coloring to vegetables. The body converts Beta Carotene into vitamin A (retinol). Vitamin A, known as a vital nutrient for vision, plays a critical role in cell growth and in maintaining healthy organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Beta Carotene, which gets its name from the Latin word for carrot, is an antioxidant that is extremely good for your eyes and skin.
Health Benefits
Some health benefits of beta carotene include:
Eye Health
Beta carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid, or a nutrient that the body readily converts into vitamin A. Research has found that eating a carotenoid-rich diet, including beta carotene, supports eye health and prevents eye diseases. Studies have shown that people with high blood levels of carotenoids may reduce their risk of macular degeneration by up to 35 percent. One Korean study found a strong link between beta carotene intake and reduced risk of macular degeneration in smokers.
Improved Cognitive Function
There is evidence that beta carotene, like other antioxidants, may improve memory and cognitive function. A review of multiple studies found that long-term beta carotene supplementation had positive effects on cognitive function and memory.
Except for Natural Carotene, another ingredient called lutein may have the similar effect.
Lutein is a xanthophyll, i.e., an oxygenated carotenoid that all mammalians, humans included, derive from their diet because they are unable to synthesize carotenoids. Several studies have shown that high Lutein intake, either through diet or as nutritional supplement, has beneficial effects on eye diseases, preventing or even improving both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract. However, conflicting data had been reported concerning Lutein efficacy, and in 2006, it was claimed that no compelling evidence had been provided concerning the supposed beneficial effect of Lutein on human health.
Furthermore, no univocal data concerning the appropriate dosage for possible Lutein supplementation had been found. More recently, a number of studies have suggested that Lutein may indeed have favorable effects via anti-inflammatory activity, improving cognitive functions, and decreasing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other systemic conditions. Overall, it seems that the amount of Lutein intake, including by supplementation, may partly counter inflammatory processes and favor human health, but inconsistencies still remain.
Also, there is a ingredient called Lycopene widely used and offering great effects for human bodies.