Beta carotene is a type of carotenoid; essentially an orangey-red pigment abundant in fruits and plants that converts into the all-essential vitamin A. Plant carotenoids are the primary dietary source of provitamin A worldwide!

Where it's found

Abundant in fruits and plants, carotene is the substance in foods like carrots, squash, kale, spinach and pumpkin that make them deep in colour. Caronoids can also be found in whole grains. Although dietary supplements are widely available, food-based beta carotene is believed to offer stronger benefits.

How it can benefit you

The high levels of vitamin A (which the beta carotene converts into) help protect cells from damage and create antioxidants in the body. For this reason it&rsquos used to prevent cancers, heart disease, AIDs, Alzheimers, and high blood pressure.

Other ailments and disorders it can treat include:

• Cataracts
• Asthma
• Depression
• Infertility
• Arthritis
• Rheumatoid
• Mascular degeneration

Naturopath Mim Beim says:

Betacarotene or pre Vitamin A is one of a number of carotenoids that give colour, especially yellow, orange and red, to fruits and vegetables. Betacarotene converts to Vitamin A in the body. Whereas it is possible to take Vitamin A in excess, where it has the potential to be toxic, beta carotene will not convert to Vitamin A if there is already enough present.

Beta Carotene is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells and DNA from free radical damage - damage affects the way the cell replicates and is implicated in diseases such as cancer and diabetes.