Carotenoids are the natural compounds that give various fruits, vegetable and flowers their rich red, orange and yellow color. In general, the greater the intensity of color, the higher the level of carotenoids. There are more than 600 carotenoid pigments that have been identified in foods but only six are used in significant ways by the blood or tissues of the body.

Beta-carotene is the most well-known and well-studied carotenoid. It is found in carrots, pumpkins, peaches, and sweet potatoes. Beta-carotene is the primary precursor to vitamin A. Carotenoids lycopene are abundant in red fruits, such as watermelon, red grapefruit, guava and processed tomatoes. Carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are plentiful in dark green vegetables, pumpkin and red capsicums; while cryptoxanthin is present in mangoes, oranges and peaches.

Health Benefits:

• Carotenoids from vegetable and fruit juices are able to enhance the immune system.
• Carotenoids as antioxidants, serve to protect cells from the danger of free radicals that may be produced by the body during metabolism or by cigarette smoke, sunlight, radiation, pollutants, or even stress.
• Carotenoids may guard against certain types of cancer by limiting the abnormal growth of cells. Lycopene, for instance, appears to inhibit prostate cancer formation. Lycopene may be also be effective against cancers of the stomach and digestive tract.
• Studies show that high intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin decrease the risk of lung cancer, and that cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene lower the risk of cervical cancer.

• Carotenoids may fight heart disease by blocking the formation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can lead to heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
• Carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin promote clear vision by absorbing the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and neutralizing free radicals in the retina (the light-sensitive portion of the eye). This may help to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, an age-related vision disorder that is the leading cause of blindness in older adults.

Guidelines for use:

• Take carotenoid rich fruits and vegetables or supplements with foods that contain a bit of fat, which helps the body absorb the carotenoids more effectively.
• Some experts also believe that your body will absorb more of these nutrients if you divide the total daily amount of carotenoids you plan to take in half and have them at two different times during the day.

Possible side effects:

• Large doses of carotenoids (through food or supplements) can make your skin turn orange, especially the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. This effect is harmless and will gradually go away if you reduce your intake of carotenoids.
• Though there are no other known side effects associated with large amounts of mixed carotenoids, taking high doses of individual carotenoids may interfere with the working of the other carotenoids.