Beta carotene is a natural pigment that gives red, orange, and yellow vegetables their color.
It’s classified as a provitamin A carotenoid — meaning your body converts it to vitamin A.
It’s also why carrots are known for their vitamin A, and why eating a huge quantity of carrots at once can give your skin an orange hue!
But carrots aren’t the only vegetables that contain beta carotene. It’s in a wide range of produce, including sweet potatoes, apricots, and even spinach!
So, it must be healthy, then, right?
Right!
It has antioxidant activity, which means it helps neutralize free radicals. What specifically are antioxidants, what do they do, and what are free radicals?
Now let’s take a look at four ways beta carotene can help you!
1. Your skin
Beta carotene is thought to boost your skin health.
A study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that it — along with other antioxidants — contributes to the maintenance of skin health and appearance. They also help the skin protect itself against harmful UV rays. [1]
2. Increased cognitive function
A 2018 review that looked at antioxidants and their effect on cognitive function found another great benefit of beta carotene.
Those who took beta carotene had benefits associated with memory and cognitive function. The longer they had been taking it, the better.
Judging by the review, it seems as though it plays a role in maintaining brain function. And those who consume it often throughout their life are doing themselves a big favor as they grow in age. [2]
3. Lung health
Your body turns beta carotene into vitamin A. This vitamin is not only beneficial for the health of your heart and kidneys, but your lungs. It plays an important role in cell growth, including those of the lungs. [3]
Research also suggests that vitamin A could potentially help “prevent or even partially reverse” the effects of several lung complications. [4]
4. Eye health
You’ve likely heard this one before in regards to carrots and vitamin A. Eat your carrots and you’ll be doing your eyes a great service!
And it’s true!
Studies have shown that those who consume more carotenoids — like beta carotene — are 35 percent less likely to develop eye and vision problems later in life. [5]
Give yourself that boost!
While you could get beta carotene through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, why not make sure you’re getting it?
Purality Health’s Micelle Liposomal Vitamin C contains beta carotene. We use it as a natural coloring agent, but as you can see, it has a range of benefits.
When you take Purality Health’s vitamin C, not only do you get the powerful benefits of vitamin C — you get the boost of beta carotene as well!
And with our micelle liposomal formula, you can be sure that you’re getting the most out of every dose!
References and Resources:
- β-Carotene and other carotenoids in protection from sunlight
- Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin A Deficiency and the Lung
- Intakes of Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Other Carotenoids and Age-Related Macular Degeneration During 2 Decades of Prospective Follow-up
