Tag: Carotenoids

According to the World Health Organization, adequate intake of fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, can minimize the risk of chronic diseases. This is largely due to the powerful bioactive components from leaf vegetable products, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties essential for human health.

According to numerous studies, darker colored corns like purple corn generally contain more antioxidants and fiber than lighter varieties such as yellow or white corn. This fact leads many to question: is purple corn better than yellow corn when it comes to overall health benefits?

According to extensive research, a diet rich in carotenoid-containing fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including certain cancers and cardiovascular conditions. So, what do carotenoids protect against, and how can you harness their defensive power for better health? These powerful plant pigments offer a range of protective effects, primarily rooted in their antioxidant capabilities.

Carotenoids, the pigments that give many fruits and vegetables their brilliant yellow, orange, and red colors, are vital for human health. From supporting vision and fortifying the immune system to protecting skin from sun damage, here is how humans use carotenoids to maintain a vibrant, healthy life.

For healthy adults aged 19 and older, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin A is 3,000 mcg (micrograms) of preformed retinol activity equivalents (RAE) per day. This crucial safety measure prevents vitamin A toxicity, which can result from excessive supplement use.

The human body absorbs vitamin A differently depending on whether it comes from animal products (retinol) or plant sources (carotenoids). For this critical reason, vitamin A is measured in RAE, or Retinol Activity Equivalents, a standardized unit that accounts for these variations in absorption and conversion.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A is now expressed in Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) to account for different sources and their bioactivity. So, is RAE the same as mcg? The short answer is no, they are not the same, though a microgram (mcg) can be used within the calculation for RAE.

According to research, there are more than 50,000 known phytochemicals, but three types are particularly significant for human health. These beneficial plant compounds include polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, which are vital for fighting disease and supporting overall well-being.

According to a comprehensive study on antioxidant content, berries consistently rank among the fruits with the highest antioxidant levels, demonstrating that the colors of fruit are healthiest when you eat a diverse range. The vibrant hues in nature's produce are more than just eye candy; they signal the presence of powerful health-boosting compounds known as phytonutrients.

According to research, the body can convert over 500 known carotenoids into vitamin A, but only specific ones act as potent antioxidants. It is the provitamin A carotenoids, not preformed vitamin A, that function as antioxidants in the body.