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β-Carotene (beta-carotene) is an organic, strongly colored red-orange pigment abundant in fungi, [7] plants, and fruits. It is a member of the carotenes , which are terpenoids (isoprenoids), synthesized biochemically from eight isoprene units and thus having 40 carbons .
β-Carotene is composed of two retinyl groups, and is broken down in the mucosa of the human small intestine by β-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase to retinal,a form of vitamin A. β-Carotene can be stored in the liver and body fat and converted to retinal as needed, thus making it a form of vitamin A for humans and some other mammals.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that beta-carotene was associated with reductions in circulating plasma cholesterol—one of the strongest risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Overconsumption of beta-carotene can only cause carotenosis, a harmless and reversible cosmetic condition in which the skin turns orange. Preformed vitamin A absorption and storage in the liver occur very efficiently until a pathologic condition develops. [21] When ingested, 70–90% of preformed vitamin A is absorbed and used. [21]
The most well-known nutrient found in carrots is beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. While a serving of whole carrots can easily help you hit 100% of your daily vitamin A ...
Cantaloupe is full of the carotenoid beta-carotene, which gives the fruit its orange hue. ... A large egg packs six grams of hunger-satisfying protein for just about 70 calories—not a bad trade ...
The primary serum carotenoids are beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. Serum levels of carotenoids vary between region, ethnicity, and sex in the healthy population. All are absorbed by passive diffusion from the gastrointestinal tract and are then partially metabolized in the intestinal mucosa and liver to vitamin A .
Like strawberries, blueberries are a good source of fiber. They also offer plenty of vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta carotene to help lower inflammation in your body. “High in fiber and low in ...