All the food you consume gives you energy in the form of various vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Beta-carotene is a pigment found in colourful vegetables and is yellowish orange in colour.
Beta-carotene nutrient is further converted into Vitamin A (retinol) by your body, which gives you good vision, healthy skin and better immune system.
Health benefits of beta-carotene
Maintains heart health
With the help of vitamin E, beta-carotene helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol. This helps to prevent various heart related diseases like atherosclerosis, stroke etc.
Improves brain health
Researches state that regular consumption of beta-carotene helps to fight oxidative stress, which can damage the brain cells and lead to chronic brain diseases like dementia. In addition, it is very beneficial in delaying cognitive ageing.
Anti-diabetes
If you consume beta-carotene in your regular diet, it reduces your chances of suffering from impaired glucose tolerance. Hence, your are less likely to suffer from diabetes.
Improves lung health
Consumption of beta-carotene rich food helps to maintain lung health along with ageing. It increases the capacity of your lungs to breathe in-out air more easily thus clearing any blockages in the respiratory organs.
Beta-carotene also reduces the chances of suffering from respiratory diseases like emphysema, asthma, bronchitis etc…
Protect from rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused due to deficiency of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Thus regular consumption of beta-carotene rich foods helps to prevent Rheumatoid arthritis.
Guards against cancer
Just like carotenoids, beta-carotene is also an antioxidant, which helps to fight the free radicals. Beta-carotene controls the communication of cells and prevents the growth of cancer cells.
Certain Studies have stated that a person who consumes minimum four servings of beta-carotene is at less risk of suffering from breast, lungs and colon cancer than the person who does not.
Aids in preventing macular degeneration
Along with age, the macula of eye starts breaking, this eye disease is known as macular degeneration. Macula is responsible for the vision of your eyes.
Consuming minimum 15 mg beta-carotene along with other vitamins and nutrients prevents/slows down the process of macular degeneration.
Boosts overall immune system
Thymus gland is the most important gland in your body, which protects your immune system. It helps you to fight several infections, viruses and even destroys cancer cells. Beta-carotene mainly strengthens your thymus gland thus boosting your overall immunity.
Beta-carotene benefits for hair
As mentioned earlier beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A by your body. This vitamin is necessary for growth of hair cells. Thus, consumption of beta-carotene aids in preventing several hair problems.
However, beta-carotene should be consumed through food only rather than vitamin supplements of Vitamin A as high dose of vitamin A may lead to hair loss.
Encourages hair growth
Many women suffer from hair loss or poor hair growth due to lack of nutrition. Consumption of beta-carotene food daily prevents hair loss and boost growth of new and existing hair.
Prevents dandruff
Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to dry scalp, which can further turn into dandruff. Thus, consumption of Beta-carotene provides better nourishment to your hair and prevents dandruff.
Beta-carotene benefits for skin
Reduces skin sensitivity towards sun
Consumption of beta-carotene in adequate quantity (90mg-180mg) can reduce the effect of sunburn on your skin and act as a natural SPF 4.
High doses of beta-carotene prove very beneficial for people with erythropoietic protoporphyria as it increases skin resistance towards sun rays.
Gives a natural glow to your skin
Beta-carotene reduces the damage to your skin caused due to various environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, smoke, etc…
It is an antioxidant, which prevents premature skin ageing. Thus, regular consumption of food with beta-carotene gives you naturally glowing and attractive skin.
Treats various skin conditions and diseases
Vitamin A plays a very important role in repairing various body tissues as a result it protects skin against several damages and repairs it. External application of beta-carotene aids in treating skin conditions like boils ulcers, age spots, carbuncles etc…
Beta-carotene supplements help in treating skin diseases like oral leukoplakia and scleroderma. In addition, beta-carotene also fastens the healing process of skin from wounds, cuts and lesions.
Beta-carotene rich foods
- Carrots
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Apricot
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Plump
- Sweet potato
- Asparagus
- Grapefruit
- Onions
- Chives
- Spices and herbs: oregano, paprika, parsley
