10 Nutritious Foods High in Carotenoids

If it is your first time to hear the word “carotenoid”, you’ll probably think of its relation to carrots. Though carrots thus contain it, they’re not the only food high in carotenoid. Carotenoids are actually the pigments responsible for giving foods their bright orange, yellow and green colors. Some of its varieties include beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein, which are very effective in reducing the risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It also improves your visual function, protects against cellular damage and increases your immunity to infection.

People who are at a high risk of getting the mentioned diseases are advised to consume the recommended amount of carotenoids found in these foods. The great news is these foods are found in many fruits and vegetables which you can easily buy or pick in your backyard.

We have listed 10 nutritious foods high in carotenoids.

1. Carrots


Carrots are your greatest source of beta-carotene, which is one type of carotenoids. Pick the ones with bright orange color to ensure you get the right amount of nutrients in your body. The brighter the color, the more beta-carotene it has. Beta-carotene is being converted to Vitamin A in the body once consumed by humans. Half a cup of uncooked carrots already supplies 184% of the suggested daily consumption of Vitamin A, while 8 oz of carrot juice contains 451%.