1. Health

Discuss in my forum

Nutrition Glossary: Carotenoids

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 03, 2013

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: Phytochemicals found in red, orange or yellow fruits and vegetables. Your body can transform some carotenoids (like beta-carotene) into vitamin A. Other precursors to vitamin A include alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin.

Other carotenoids cannot be turned into vitamin A. However, they may trigger antioxidant reactions in your body. These include lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Back to the Nutrition Glossary

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.