Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that converts into vitamin A.
What is beta-carotene?
Beta-carotene is the most potent precursor to vitamin A, but its conversion to vitamin A in the body is limited by a feedback system.
It is definitely an important antioxidant and one that can only build up to toxic levels in rare circumstances.
Beta-carotene benefits
- Beta-carotene helps support immune health by enhancing the function of the thymus gland.
- It is also a vital component of the body's natural antioxidant defences against free radicals.
- Beta-carotene has shown promising results in cognitive function in men.
Vitamin A is essential for vision, growth, cell differentiation and proliferation, and the immune system's integrity.
Beta-carotene foods
As a rule of thumb, the stronger the color of fruit or vegetable, the richer it is in beta-carotene. Yellow, leafy greens, orange and red fruits (such as carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and winter squash).
One of the highest beta-carotene containing foods is the sweet potato. Eating sweet potatoes can offer improvement in a variety of areas where beta carotene supplementation is recommended.
