There are over 600 different types of carotenoids and they produce the vibrant burst of colours that we see in many of our fruit and vegetables.
A few of the common carotenoids are: alpha carotene, beta-carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin.
Food sources of these carotenoids are predominantly in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Dietary carotenoids have been linked to several health benefits in decreasing the risk of disease in particular certain cancers, heart disease and eye disease.
Research also shows that consuming dietary carotenoids in fruit and vegetables can increase skin yellowness to produce a healthier glow. So there’s no need to sun-bathe when you can just eat more fruit and veg!