What foods are high in beta-carotene?

Question

What foods are high in beta-carotene?

Answer 1

eat:

carrots

sweet potatoes

kale

fresh thyme

fresh cilantro

spinach

turnip greens

winter squash

collards

broccoli

cantaloupe

dried apricot

fresh apricot

red bell peppers

mango

these foods eaten raw or steamed lightly are excellent sources of beta carotene

Answer 2

Carrots!

Answer 3

Beta-carotene can be found in concentrated amounts in a variety of foods including sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro, fresh thyme, cantaloupe, romaine lettuce and broccoli.

In some cases, the way you prepare the foods can affect the amount of beta carotene. In certain cases, cooking can improve the availability of carotenoids in foods. Lightly steaming carrots and spinach improves your body's ability to absorb carotenoids in these foods.

It is important to note, however, that in most cases, prolonged cooking of vegetables decreases the availability of carotenoids by changing the shape of the carotenoid from its natural trans-configuration to a cis-configuration. For example, fresh carrots contain 100% all-trans beta-carotene, while canned carrots contain only 73% all-trans beta-carotene.

In dietary supplements, beta-carotene is available as synthetic all-trans beta-carotene, beta- and alpha-carotene from the algae Dunaliella, and mixed carotenes from palm oil.

Certain physical factors may lead to a deficiency in Beta Carotene. Carotenoids are fat-soluble substances, and as such require the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. Consequently, your carotenoid status may be impaired by a diet that is extremely low in fat or if you have a medical condition that causes a reduction in the ability to absorb dietary fat such as pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn's disease, celiac sprue, cystic fibrosis, surgical removal of part or all of the stomach, gall bladder disease, and liver disease.

Due to low consumption of fruits and vegetables, many adolescents and young adults do not take in enough beta-carotene. In addition, if you smoke cigarettes and/or drink alcohol, you may have lower than normal blood levels of beta-carotene. Statistically speaking, smokers and drinkers eat fewer foods that contain carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Also, researchers suspect that cigarette smoke destroys carotenoids. However, if you do smoke or drink, use carotenoid supplements with caution.

And, for some of the benefits of carotenoids: Carotenoids may play a role in the prevention of the following health conditions:

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Age-related macular degeneration

Angina pectoris

Asthma

Cataracts

Cervical cancer

Cervical dysplasia

Chlamydial infection

Heart disease

Laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx)

Lung cancer

Male and female infertility

Osteoarthritis

Photosensitivity

Pneumonia

Prostate cancer

Rheumatoid arthritis

Skin cancer

Vaginal candidiasis

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

carrots

pumpkin

Answer 5

orange veggies

carrots, sweet potatoes

Answer 6

Carrots and sweet-potatoes which have tonnes of the stuff. (Normally anything red or orange)