Beta-carotene

Natural provitamin from carrots

Beta-carotene is a yellow to orange-colored plant pigment that is found in many types of fruit and vegetables, but is particularly rich in carrots. It belongs to the group of carotenoids, which are responsible for the characteristic coloring of many foods. In addition to carrots, significant amounts of beta-carotene are also found in pumpkin, sweet potatoes, peppers, broccoli, mangoes, apricots and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. It plays an important role in plant metabolism, particularly in photosynthesis: plants use it to absorb more light energy and neutralize free radicals produced by UV radiation. Beta-carotene thus protects plant tissue from oxidative damage. Animal foods contain vitamin A instead; more on this below.

As beta-carotene is fat-soluble, people need to consume some fat at the same time so that the body can metabolize it. No problem: normally there are small amounts of fat in the stomach from food eaten before or at the same time. The provitamin is then converted to vitamin A in the liver - and this contributes to the maintenance of normal vision, skin and mucous membranes, among other things. It is also important for normal iron metabolism and the immune system. As beta-carotene is so easily and efficiently "converted" to vitamin A, it can be a valuable source of this essential nutrient.

Good to know: While too much vitamin A can be harmful, an ample supply of beta-carotene does not have a negative effect. It is then mainly stored in the skin, which results in an orange coloration of the skin similar to a natural suntan. This phenomenon is known from babies who are given a lot of carrot puree - and you actually tan a little faster if you eat a diet rich in beta-carotene.

The beta-carotene in Beauty Retinol AE Boost from GSE comes from organically grown carrots.