What Does carotene Mean
It is called carotene to a pigment reddish or yellowish animals can become vitamin . This chemical compound is present in the carrot , the yolk of eggs, tomatoes , the butter (butter) and peppers (peppers, red peppers or chili peppers) red .
Carotene, whose most common structure makes it generally known as
beta-carotene , is part of the family group of terpenes . The Swiss scientist Paul Karrer , winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry , was the one who first described this structure.
The small intestine, through its mucosa, is responsible for transforming carotene into vitamin A in humans and in other species. Vitamin A is then stored in the liver. In some cases, the carotene is absorbed without modification and remains in the fatty tissue, causing the skin, in certain parts of the body, to acquire an orange or yellowish color.
According to various studies, carotene protects the skin from ultraviolet rays from the Sun. It also optimizes the functioning of the immune system , reduces the risk of heart problems and acts as an antioxidant . That is why it is important to eat foods that have carotene. Let's look at these and other benefits of consuming beta-carotene in more detail below:
* heart health : eating a diet rich in beta-carotene is important to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This compound, together with vitamin E, reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the acronym comes from English and means low-density lipoprotein ; in everyday speech, it is called "bad cholesterol") thanks to which it also reduces the risk of disease coronary artery and atherosclerosis;
* cancer prevention : thanks to its antioxidant capacity, this carotene structure manages to fight cancer . On the other hand, it also collaborates with the correct communication of cells, preventing the development of cancer cells. Among the types of cancer that beta-carotene successfully prevents are colon, breast, lung, and oral cavity;
* Brain age : research has shown that consuming beta-carotene is good for brain health, since it significantly slows down cognitive aging, and also effectively fights oxidative stress, capable of causing long-term cell damage and provoke dementia ;
* for respiratory disorders : lung capacity can be highly enriched by consuming beta-carotene in good quantities. This brings significant relief from respiratory ailments and helps prevent the onset of emphysema, bronchitis and asthma, among other respiratory diseases ;
* prevention of macular degeneration : this eye disease occurs in some adults and is characterized by severely affecting central vision. Like any other disorder of the senses, its consequences can be very difficult to cope with. A diet rich in nutrients and beta-carotene can be very beneficial in slowing down the degeneration process of the macula;
* skin care : many people try to delay skin aging , and beta-carotene is ideal for this task thanks to its antioxidant action, which minimizes the damage caused by ultraviolet light and environmental pollution. On an aesthetic level, the skin becomes smoother and brighter.
Beyond these findings, there is research that maintains that an excessive level of carotene in the body for a long time causes various complications, ranging from aesthetic issues to damage of various importance. This is due to the disadvantages suffered by the structures that are responsible for transforming carotene into vitamin A. Pregnant women with excess carotene, on the other hand, can cause a malformation in the fetus.