Have you ever wondered why some plants, vegetables, and fruits have bright colors? If so, you are in the right place! The reason for their coloration is traceable to compounds known as carotenoids, which are natural pigments produced by plants for light energy absorption and conversion.
One common example of a carotenoid is beta-carotene. Does it have any benefits? Can you consume it directly? Or does it even have any food sources you can include in your diet? Before answering these questions, it would be best to know what beta carotene is. So, it's time to dive in!
The name "beta-carotene" has both Greek and Latin origins. It is a pigment found in fruits and plants that produces a red-orange color when extracted in a pure form. When consumed, your body converts beta carotene into vitamin A or retinol, which offers several health benefits. Hence, it is also known as a provitamin A carotenoid.
In addition, beta-carotene is found in specific foods, which I will discuss later. Though there is hardly any consensus on the dietary intake of beta-carotene, it would be best if men took approximately 700 micrograms daily. Meanwhile, women can consume around 600 micrograms.
For children within the first three years of life, 300 micrograms per day would help, whereas those from age four to eight can take 390 micrograms. Finally, if your child is between nine and thirteen years old, they can consume 600 micrograms a day. So what are the benefits of consuming beta-carotene properly?
Consuming foods rich in carotenoids such as beta-carotene can improve your eye health. For instance, beta-carotene prevents cancerous cells from developing in the eye and protects healthy eye cells. In addition to its cell-related duties, beta-carotene can reduce your risk of macular degeneration, which can cause blindness.
Carotenoids act as antioxidants, protecting cells from substances that can destroy their membranes. So, imagine what consuming beta-carotene in high amounts could do. Indeed, increasing your dietary intake of beta-carotene can improve the amount of these protective compounds in your body, preventing the growth of cancerous cells.
Certain antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, can improve your skin's health and appearance. As a provitamin A carotenoid, beta-carotene transforms into vitamin A, protecting the skin against sun damage. In other words, the organic antioxidant (beta-carotene) can shield your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye.
A study shows that men who took a high dose of beta-carotene supplements for around 18 years had sharper memories and minimal cognitive decline than those who took a placebo. Apart from that, taking beta-carotene can reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder. Are there foods rich in the antioxidant? Let's find out.
Of course, you can obtain beta-carotene from various diets, one of which is sweet potato, a dicotyledonous plant. But, more importantly, the plant derives its orange color from beta-carotene. So, what amount of beta-carotene do sweet potatoes have?
Indeed, sweet potatoes are among the richest sources of beta-carotene. For example, a cup of baked sweet potato has 1,922 mcg RAE or 1.92 mg, equivalent to 214 percent of the daily value for vitamin A! However, beta-carotene is fat-soluble, so it would be best to pair the sweet potato with a source of healthy fat to enhance your body's absorption of the nutrient.
Following this piece, I mentioned that beta carotene has Greek and Latin origins. Well, "carotene" comes from the Latin word "carota," which means "carrot." And carrots are among the main sources of beta-carotene. Isn't nature wonderful?
Additionally, one cup of cooked carrots contains 1,329 mcg RAE or 1.32 mg of beta carotene. In other words, a cup of the diet has 148 percent of the daily value for beta-carotene.
Pumpkins contain vitamins C, B6, E, and A; they also have minerals such as potassium, sodium, manganese, and zinc, amongst others. In addition, the pumpkin's orange color undoubtedly stems from carotenoid pigments such as beta-carotene! So, it is another good source of the nutrient; one cup of canned pumpkin contains 1,906 mcg RAE or 1.9 mg of beta-carotene, which corresponds to 212 percent of the daily value for vitamin A.
Spinach, or Spinacia oleracea, is an annual flowering plant from the family Amaranthaceae; it provides several nutrients like vitamins, minerals, etc. But, more importantly, spinach is a source of beta-carotene since one cup of cooked spinach offers 943 mcg RAE or 0.94 mg of the nutrient, equivalent to 105 percent of vitamin A's daily value.
Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) is a winter squash that tastes like pumpkin. The starchy vegetable has a yellow skin that turns orange when ripe. Like other vegetables, it provides various nutrients, including beta-carotene. A cup of cooked butternut squash contains 1,144 mcg RAE or 1.1 mg of beta-carotene. In other words, the diet provides 127 percent of the recommended daily value for vitamin A.
Another source of beta carotene is collard greens; they can be biennial or perennial, depending on the weather conditions. A cup of collard greens delivers 722 mcg RAE or 0.7 mg of beta-carotene, which corresponds to 80 percent of the daily value for vitamin A.
People grow leaf cabbage or kale for its edible leaves and ornamental functions. Moreso, it contains high amounts of beta-carotene. One cup of cooked kale offers 190 mcg RAE or 0.2 mcg of beta carotene, equivalent to 21 percent of the daily value of vitamin A.
Romaine lettuce is another green that contains high amounts of beta-carotene. One cup of shredded romaine lettuce contains 2,456 mcg or 2.4 mg of beta-carotene, which corresponds to 23 percent of the daily value!
Besides being rich in fiber and vitamins, red bell peppers are another amazing source of beta-carotene. So, a cup of raw, chopped red bell pepper offers 234 mcg RAE or 0.23 mg of beta carotene, corresponding to 26 percent of the vitamin A daily value. Now, how about an example of a meal rich in beta carotene?
Pumpkin puree is an excellent example of a high-beta carotene meal. You need one (four to six-pound) baking pumpkin and kosher salt for the meal. Follow these steps to prepare.
The antioxidant is beneficial in several ways. For example, beta-carotene can improve your eye health and cognitive abilities, prevent cancer, and protect your skin!
Beta-carotene is not a vitamin. However, when consumed, the body converts it to vitamin A. However, beta carotene is a natural antioxidant!
Of course not! Beta-carotene is not bad for you. However, taking it from dietary sources rather than supplements is safer.
As mentioned earlier, beta-carotene can protect the skin from the sun's UV rays and improve its overall health. So, it is good for your skin.
Some things may happen when your intake of beta-carotene is too high. For instance, your hands, palms, or feet soles can turn yellow. Though rare, joint pain, diarrhea, and dizziness are other side effects.