The major carotenoids contain α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, etc. Among the three isomers of carotenoids, β-carotene has the highest content and γ-carotene the least. α, β, γ-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin can be decomposed to form vitamin A, while lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene don't have the activity of vitamin A, so they cannot be decomposed to vitamin A.
Carotenoid structure and category
The major carotenoids contain α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, etc. Among the three isomers of carotenoids, β-carotene has the highest content and γ-carotene the least. α, β, γ-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin can be decomposed to form vitamin A, while lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene do not have the activity of vitamin A, so they cannot be decomposed to vitamin A.
Food sources of carotenoids
Carotenoids are only synthesized in plants and microorganisms. Animals cannot biosynthesize carotenoids on their own, so the human body mainly obtains them from plant-based foods, mainly fresh fruits and vegetables. α-carotene and β-carotene are mainly from yellow-orange vegetables and fruits. β-cryptoxanthin is mainly from orange fruits. Lutein is mainly from dark green vegetables. Lycopene comes mainly from tomatoes. The daily intake of carotenoids in the human body is about 6 mg.
Effects of carotenoids
Carotenoids have a variety of biological effects. Regular consumption of foods rich in carotenoids is beneficial to health.
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