Carotenoids and Their Health Benefits

Carrots are the greatest edible source of carotenoids known to us. Being powerful antioxidants, carotenoids protect us from harmful oxygen based molecules called oxidants. Oxidants can speed up aging and contribute to the development of certain health problems such as atherosclerosis and DNA damage.

Beta-carotene is the most famous carotenoid and was the first carotenoid to be discovered. It is the most abundant nutrient in carrots and is also the plant pigment that gives carrots their rich orange color. Researchers found that beta-carotene is also converted by the liver into vitamin A, which is essential to eye health.

So how do carrots help the eyes? Once beta-carotene is turned into vitamin A, vitamin A is then turned into another substance called rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a purple based chemical needed by the eyes to actually see in the dark. No rhodopsin – no night vision!

Carotenoids further protect the eyes in their function as antioxidants. UV light is a source of harmful oxidants that attack healthy eye cells. Carotenoids are found in dense concentrations in the eye where they disarm these oxidants. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are all linked to oxidant based damage.

Carotenoids are also strongly associated with cancer prevention. As antioxidants, they can protect DNA cells from oxidation damage, which is one cause of cancer. Many studies show that a high carotenoid diet can reduce the risk of getting cancer of the lungs, colon, esophagus and the prostate by up to 50%.

An abundance of carotenoids in the diet are also associated with reduced risk of developing cancers. A vast amount of research suggests that eating just one carrot a day can cut the likelihood of developing lung cancer in half. Research also provides evidence that a high consumption of carotenoids reduces the risk of developing bladder, colon, esophagus and prostate cancers by up to 50%.

Carotenoid intake may also be beneficial for diabetics. One study found that eating carotenoid rich foods, such as carrots, helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels. It is not yet understood how carotenoids provide this observed benefit, but they certainly appear to make a difference.

To increase your daily intake of carotenoids, I recommend making your own homemade carrot juice. Carotenoids, like other nutrients, always work best when taken naturally in a food source. Juicing also makes carotenoids more easily available for digestion.

Hope you enjoyed the article. My name is Jason Jones, my interests are health, natural healing, nutrition and green living. I love to write articles about these topics to share with everyone! Check out my comprehensive juicing blog benefits of juicing