Carotenoids
Carotenoids
Carotenoids (pronunciation: /kəˈrɒtɪnɔɪd/) are a type of pigment found in many different types of plants, algae, and bacteria. They are responsible for the bright red, yellow, and orange colors found in many fruits and vegetables.
Etymology
The term "carotenoid" is derived from the Latin carota (carrot) and the Greek -oid (resembling), referring to the substance's discovery in carrots and its carrot-like color.
Types of Carotenoids
There are over 600 known types of carotenoids, but the most common ones include:
Function
Carotenoids have several important functions in the human body. They are powerful antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage by free radicals. Some carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which is essential for healthy vision, skin, and immune function.
Dietary Sources
Carotenoids are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including:
Health Benefits
A diet rich in carotenoids has been associated with several health benefits, including a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, and age-related macular degeneration.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carotenoids
- Wikipedia's article - Carotenoids
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski