Carotenoids
Carotenoids are Fat Soluble Phytonutrients
One of the types of Phytonutrients, Carotenoids are any class of highly unsaturated yellow to red-pigments occurring in nature. Nature's yellow, orange, and red colors come from over six hundred carotenoids. Carotenoids are also hidden by chlorophyll in some green plants.
The carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene are well-known substances in the fight to reduce the damage from free radicals. Beta-carotene supports and strengthens cellular antioxidant defenses by neutralizing free radicals that might damage cells. In addition, beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene is contained in yellow-orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupes, and papayas. Green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and spinach also have beta-carotene.
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Another carotenoid is lycopene. Lycopene has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory functions and plays roles in immune modulation. Lycopene is contained in most red vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, guava, pink grapefruit, and watermelon.
Other carotenoids important for maintaining eye health are lutein and zeaxanthin. These compounds exist in green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard green, winter squash, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard. Corn, citrus fruits, kiwifruit, and egg yolks also have lutein and zeaxanthin.