What Food Causes Carotenemia? A Comprehensive Guide

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Carotenemia, a condition causing yellow-orange skin pigmentation, results from high levels of carotene in the blood, often due to the overconsumption of certain fruits and vegetables. This benign effect is most commonly linked to a diet rich in deeply colored produce.

Quick Summary

Excessive intake of beta-carotene-rich foods, like carrots and sweet potatoes, is the most common cause of carotenemia. This benign condition, characterized by harmless skin yellowing, can be resolved by making moderate dietary changes over time.

Key Points

Excessive Carotene Intake: Carotenemia is caused by eating too many foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.
Benign and Reversible: The condition is harmless and the skin discoloration will resolve gradually after reducing carotene intake.
Distinct from Jaundice: Unlike jaundice, carotenemia does not cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes (sclera).
Affects Palms and Soles: The orange discoloration is most noticeable on areas of the body with thicker skin, like the palms and soles.
Infants and Vegetarians are Susceptible: Infants on pureed vegetables and vegetarians with high carotene diets are more prone to developing carotenemia.
Other Causes Exist: Rarely, underlying conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, or liver disease can be associated with carotenemia.
Balanced Diet is the Cure: The primary treatment is to reduce consumption of high-carotene foods and maintain a varied, balanced diet.

The Link Between Diet and Carotenemia

Carotenemia is a condition where excessive carotene levels in the blood lead to a yellowish-orange tint in the skin. Carotene is a pigment found naturally in many plants and is converted into Vitamin A in the body. While a normal intake of carotene is healthy, a prolonged, excessive dietary intake can cause the pigment to be deposited in the outermost layer of the skin. The result is a noticeable discoloration, particularly on the palms, soles, and nasolabial folds. This effect is temporary and completely reversible by adjusting one's diet.

The Primary Culprits: Beta-Carotene Rich Foods

The foods most frequently associated with causing carotenemia are those high in beta-carotene. The key to prevention lies not in avoiding these nutritious foods entirely, but in consuming them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Orange and Yellow Fruits and Vegetables

Many of the foods people readily associate with a yellow or orange color are the most common cause of carotenemia. Excessive consumption is often defined as more than 30mg of carotene per day for a prolonged period.

Carrots: This is the most famous culprit. Eating a large number of carrots daily, especially for infants consuming pureed baby food, is a common pathway to developing carotenemia.
Sweet Potatoes: These are extremely high in beta-carotene, with a single large baked sweet potato providing several hundred percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.
Pumpkin and Squash: Butternut squash and pumpkin are other significant sources of beta-carotene, particularly when consumed in pureed forms like soups or pies.
Cantaloupe, Mango, and Papaya: These tropical fruits are also potent sources and have been identified in case reports of diet-induced carotenemia.
Apricots and Peaches: These fruits contain smaller but still notable amounts of carotene.

Leafy Green Vegetables

It may be surprising, but certain dark leafy green vegetables are also packed with carotene, even though the pigment is masked by chlorophyll. Excessive consumption of these, often in vegetable juices or smoothies, can also lead to carotenemia.

Spinach: This is one of the most potent green sources, with a single cup of cooked spinach providing over 100% of the recommended daily intake.
Kale and Collard Greens: Like spinach, these greens are very high in carotene.
Broccoli: Though less potent than some leafy greens, broccoli still contains a significant amount of carotene.

Other Dietary Sources

Beyond fruits and vegetables, other food items and supplements can contribute to excessive carotene levels.

Egg Yolks: These contain a decent amount of carotenoids, along with other essential nutrients.
Butter and Milk: Dairy products, especially those with a yellow tint, get some of their color from carotene.
Nutrient Supplements: Carotenemia has been documented in individuals taking high-dose beta-carotene supplements, often for perceived health or cosmetic benefits.

Beyond Diet: Other Causes of Carotenemia

While diet is the most common cause, carotenemia can, in rare cases, be a symptom of an underlying medical condition affecting the body's metabolism of carotene.

Hypothyroidism: The decreased thyroid function can slow the conversion of carotene to vitamin A.
Diabetes Mellitus: Individuals with diabetes may have elevated carotene levels, possibly due to impaired conversion processes.
Liver Disease: Primary hepatic injury can prevent the efficient conversion of carotene to vitamin A.
Anorexia Nervosa: Carotenemia is well-documented in patients with anorexia and can be related to metabolic changes or dietary habits.

Carotenemia vs. Jaundice: Key Differences

It is crucial to distinguish carotenemia from jaundice, another condition that causes yellow skin discoloration, but is far more serious and indicative of liver problems.


Characteristic	Carotenemia	Jaundice
Sclera (Whites of Eyes)	Not affected (remain white)	Affected (turn yellow)
Skin Color	Yellow-orange pigmentation	Yellowish pigmentation
Distribution of Color	Concentrated on palms, soles, and nasolabial folds	Often generalized, starting with the sclera
Underlying Cause	Excessive carotene intake (most common) or metabolic issues	High bilirubin levels due to liver or bile duct issues
Symptoms	Asymptomatic (except for skin discoloration)	May be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and other symptoms
Treatment	Reduce dietary carotene intake	Treat the underlying medical cause

How to Reverse Carotenemia

For dietary-induced carotenemia, the solution is straightforward: reduce the amount of carotene-rich foods in your diet. The yellow-orange discoloration will fade gradually as carotene levels in the blood decrease. This process takes time due to carotene's fat-soluble nature, meaning it can take weeks to months for the skin color to return to normal. Instead of eliminating these healthy foods, aim for a more balanced variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Conclusion: Moderation is Key

Carotenemia is a harmless, cosmetic condition caused most often by eating large quantities of carotene-rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes. While certain medical conditions can also be a factor, dietary overconsumption is the primary cause, particularly in infants and vegetarians. The key takeaway is moderation and a balanced diet. If you notice a yellow or orange tint to your skin, especially on your palms and soles but not your eyes, a simple dietary adjustment is likely all that is needed. Consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned or suspect an underlying metabolic issue, but know that for most, it's just a sign of too much of a good thing. For more information on the physiology of carotenoids, you can refer to sources like Medscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common foods include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, cantaloupe, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale. Carotene supplements can also cause the condition.

The discoloration from carotenemia typically fades over several weeks to a few months after reducing the intake of high-carotene foods. The exact time depends on the individual's metabolism and how much carotene was consumed.

In most cases, carotenemia from diet is benign and not a cause for concern. However, in rare instances, it can be associated with medical conditions like hypothyroidism or liver disease, so it's best to consult a doctor if you are unsure.

The key difference is the sclera (whites of the eyes). In carotenemia, the sclera remain white, while in jaundice, they turn yellow along with the skin.

Yes, eating carrots daily is safe and healthy as part of a balanced diet. You would need to consume an excessive amount, well beyond typical servings, to cause carotenemia.

Yes, infants and young children are particularly susceptible to diet-induced carotenemia, often from eating large amounts of commercial pureed foods containing carrots or squash.

No, carotenemia is not vitamin A toxicity. The body regulates the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, so consuming too much carotene does not lead to a dangerous buildup of vitamin A.