What is A carotenoid and what does it do?

Carotenoids are plant pigments responsible for bright red, yellow and orange hues in many fruits and vegetables. These pigments play an important role in plant health. People who eat foods containing carotenoids get protective health benefits as well.

What is the importance of the carotenoid?

Carotenoids are lipid-soluble pigments that give fruits and vegetables their color. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are important in eye health in protecting retinal tissue from blue shortwave light damage.

Who discovered carotenoids?

The earliest studies on carotenoids date back to the beginning of the 19th century. Beta-carotene was first isolated by Wackenroder in 1831, and many other carotenoids were discovered and named during the 1800s, although their structures were still unknown.

What are the 3 carotenoids?

Three of these carotenoids, namely α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin, can be converted into retinol and are thus referred to as provitamin A carotenoids. Lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin have no vitamin A activity and are thus referred to as nonprovitamin A carotenoids.

Is carotenoid vitamin A?

Carotenoids are beneficial antioxidants that can protect you from disease and enhance your immune system. Provitamin A carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A, which is essential for growth, immune system function, and eye health.

Are carotenoids good for your eyes?

According to nutrition research, an important key to healthy eyes and good vision may be getting enough carotenoids in your diet. In particular, carotenoids may help protect your eyes from the damaging effects of blue light and reduce your risk of macular degeneration later in life.

Is carotenoid an antioxidant?

Carotenoids are efficient antioxidants protecting plants against oxidative damage. They are also part of the antioxidant defense system in animals and humans.

Is carotene A carotenoid?

Carotenoids are classified into two main groups: xanthophylls and carotenes. These provitamin A carotenoids include alpha carotene, beta carotene, and beta cryptoxanthin. Non-provitamin A carotenoids include lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.

What foods contain meso-zeaxanthin?

Indeed, and consistent with the work by Maoka in 1986, Nolan et al. have shown that meso-zeaxanthin is present in the skin of trout, sardine and salmon, and in the flesh of trout.