BETA-CAROTENE (An Amazing Compound)

Beta-carotene is a compound that converts into vitamin A when taken in diet and acts as antioxidant which helps to protect cells from damage. Basically, when you consume foods or ingest supplements containing beta-carotene, it breaks down into vitamin A in your liver. No vitamin overdose can occur with natural Beta-Carotene. This simple compound is so beneficial that it is worth including it in your diet today to stay healthy and prevent yourself from many future illness.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• It decreases the risk of breast cancers in women, especially those who have the family history of breast cancer or those who consume excessive alcohol.

• Some studies have suggested that those who consume at least four daily servings of beta-carotene rich fruits and/or vegetables have a lower risk of developing cancer or heart disease.

• Prevent osteoarthritis from getting worse. Although it doesn’t prevent osteoarthritis.

• Preventing sunburn to some extent in people who are sun sensitive.

• Reduces the risk of ovarian cancer after menopause in woman

• Improving physical performance and strength in the elderly.

• Preventing asthma attacks triggered by exercise.

HEALTH BENEFITS Cont…..

• Reducing the risk of pregnancy-related death, night blindness, and diarrhea and fever after delivery in underfed women.

• Treating a tongue disease called oral leukoplakia.

• Treating an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when used with other medicines (15 mg of beta-carotene by mouth along with 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 80 mg of elemental zinc daily).

• Preventing bronchitis and difficulty breathing in smokers.

• Stimulates your immune system to fight off infections and viruses, and destroy cancerous cells before they can spread.

TOP 10 FOODS HIGH IN BETA CAROTENE

SWEET POTATO

The most orange of all fruits and vegetables, sweet potatoes will provide 9444μg of beta carotene per 100g serving. That is 14260μg in a medium sized potato(150g).

KALE

Kale is considered to be an early form of cabbage, and is delicious steamed with wine.

100 grams of raw kale will provide 9226μg of beta-carotene, 100 grams cooked will provide 8173μg

CARROT

The beta-carotene in carrots gives them their orange color. 100 grams of raw carrots provides 8285μg of beta-carotene, one medium sized carrot(61g) will provide 5053μg, and one baby carrot(10g) will provide 639μg

TURNIP GREENS

Good to spice up any salad or soup, 100 grams of raw turnip greens provides 6952μg of beta-carotene, 100 grams cooked provides 4575μg

MUSTARD GREEN

Great in a salad or wrap. Mustard greens provide 6300μg of beta-carotene per 100g serving, cooked mustard greens will provide 3794μg

SPINACH

An excellent vegetable to add to a wrap or calzone, raw spinach provides 5626μg of beta-carotene per 100g serving. Due to water loss during cooking, cooked spinach provides even more beta-carotene with 6288μg per 100g serving

DRIED HERBS

Dried Basil provides the most beta-carotene with 5584μg per 100g serving, it is followed by Dried Parsley (5380μg), Marjoram (4806μg), Dried Oregano (4112μg), Ground Sage (3485μg), Dried Coriander (3407μg), and Fresh Thyme (2851μg).

BUTTERNUT SQUASH

This dark orange squash has a delicious nutty and sweet flavor. 100 grams baked provides 4570μg of beta-carotene, 100 grams raw will provide 4226μg

LETTUCE

Dark colorful lettuces provide the most beta-carotene with Red-Leaf Lettuce providing 4495μg per 100g, Green-Leaf providing 4443μg per 100g, and Iceberg only providing 299μg per 100g

COLLARD

Known for it’s good source of calcium, collards provide 3842μg of beta-carotene per 100g serving. Cooked collards provide even more with 4814μg per 100g serving