There are more than 600 known carotenoids. Carotenoids are naturally occurring plant pigments that provide the orange and yellow colors we see in plants and their produce. The vibrant orange color of carrot is provided by its high carotenoid content, in fact carrots are the biggest known source of carotenoids. Of the 600 known carotenoids, about 50 of them can also be converted to vitamin A by the liver.
The most abundant carotenoid in carrots is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is also the first carotenoid to be discovered back in 1831 by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder, one of the most well researched. Some time later researchers found that beta-carotene was transformed into vitamin A by the body, helping to prevent the once common problem of night blindness.
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!
As antioxidants, beta-carotene and other carotenoids in carrots help protect the eyes from harmful oxygen molecules in UV light. These harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, attack healthy cells in the eyes. This damage is one major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
There is evidence that carotenoids help to protect us against heart disease. A study undertaken in Massachusetts reviewed the diets of 1,300 elderly people. Those who ate carrots or squash (another carotenoid rich food source) daily were 60% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to those who ate carrots and squash less than once a day.
Our eyes benefit greatly from carotenoids. Two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin are densely packed in the eye, where they protect the retina from some of the damaging effects of UV light. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are among the best food sources for both these carotenoids.
And if that's still not enough, carotenoids also aid diabetes. Researchers studied the effects of carotenoid consumption upon blood sugar levels in diabetics. Amazingly, carotenoids actually helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels!
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.
The most abundant carotenoid in carrots is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is also the first carotenoid to be discovered back in 1831 by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder, one of the most well researched. Some time later researchers found that beta-carotene was transformed into vitamin A by the body, helping to prevent the once common problem of night blindness.
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!
As antioxidants, beta-carotene and other carotenoids in carrots help protect the eyes from harmful oxygen molecules in UV light. These harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, attack healthy cells in the eyes. This damage is one major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
There is evidence that carotenoids help to protect us against heart disease. A study undertaken in Massachusetts reviewed the diets of 1,300 elderly people. Those who ate carrots or squash (another carotenoid rich food source) daily were 60% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to those who ate carrots and squash less than once a day.
Our eyes benefit greatly from carotenoids. Two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin are densely packed in the eye, where they protect the retina from some of the damaging effects of UV light. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are among the best food sources for both these carotenoids.
And if that's still not enough, carotenoids also aid diabetes. Researchers studied the effects of carotenoid consumption upon blood sugar levels in diabetics. Amazingly, carotenoids actually helped to lower spikes in blood sugar levels!
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.
About the Author:
Jason Jones enjoys writing about health and well being, particlarly about food, nutrition and natural healing. He is also an advocate of 'going green' to ensure the well being of this planet. You can visit his health website Juicer Recipes
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