The Health Benefits of Beta Carotene
Carotene is the substance that gives carrots, pumpkins, peppers, sweet potatoes, apricots and other vegetables and fruits their distinctive colour, but it is also found in other coloured vegetables and fruits, not just the yellow and orange ones. It is also present in the orange and yellow leaves of Autumn, but we don’t recommend that you eat those… It comes in two principle forms: alpha and beta carotene and both have a similar effect on the body but beta carotene is the more common and most active.
What does it do?
Carotene is converted by the body into a form of vitamin A and gives you healthy skin, good eye sight, strong teeth and bones and a good immune system. It is also an antioxidant which helps protect the body from diseases like cancer.
Do I need a supplement?
It is unlikely that you will need beta carotene in the form of a supplement as this nutrient is present in so many of the fruits and vegetables consumed in a good diet. Those with a specific skin disease or problems with light sensitivity might require a supplement but should check with their doctor first.
What foods are high in Beta Carotene
You can almost safely presume that a colourful vegetable will be high in one of the carotenes. To find 100 foods that are high in alpha carotene click here and to see the not too dissimilar list of 100 foods that are high in beta carotene click here.
… and are their any dangers?
Large doses of beta carotene can give the skin an orange appearance. Although if you see someone with orange skin it is more likely caused by a tanning salon accident than an addiction to carrots. Beta carotene is safer than vitamin A which can lead to toxicity if taken in large amounts. Anyone suffering from lung cancer or exposure to asbestos should avoid beta carotene supplements as one study showed that their risk of getting lung cancer increased.
