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Researchers found that eating baby carrots (BC) three times a week significantly increased carotenoids in the skin of young adults, and the increase was even more pronounced when the carrot snacks were combined with a multivitamin containing beta-carotene (MVMM).
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Credit: Samford University, Suresh Mathews
Chicago (June 30, 2024) — A new study finds that eating just three baby carrots a week significantly increased carotenoids in the skin of young adults. Pairing this healthy snack with a multivitamin that contains the carotenoid beta-carotene further boosted levels of these phytonutrients.
Carotenoids, responsible for the vibrant red, orange and yellow colour of many fruits and vegetables, can only be obtained through diet and can therefore be measured in the skin to gauge fruit and vegetable intake. Higher carotenoid concentrations in the skin are associated with increased antioxidant protection and a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers. This index also reflects better skin health and immune function.
“Previous research has demonstrated that consuming three times the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily for three weeks can increase carotenoid concentrations in the skin,” said Mary Harper Simmons, a master’s student in nutrition at Samford University. “Our findings suggest that a simple dietary change such as snacking on baby carrots can significantly increase carotenoid accumulation in the skin.”
Simmons will present his findings at NUTRITION 2024, the American Academy of Nutrition’s flagship annual meeting, taking place in Chicago from June 29 to July 2.
In the study, researchers randomized 60 young people to receive a four-week intervention and used a non-invasive, research-grade spectroscopic device called a VeggieMeter to detect and quantitate carotenoids in the skin of study participants before and after the intervention.
The researchers found that compared to pre-intervention levels, the group that consumed baby carrots saw a significant increase in skin carotenoid scores of 10.8%, and the group that consumed carrots and the supplement saw an increase of 21.6%. There was no change in skin carotenoid levels in the control group or the group that only consumed the supplement.
“We found that combining baby carrots with a multivitamin supplement containing beta-carotene had an interactive effect on carotenoid accumulation in the skin,” Simmons says. “To get the beneficial effects, choose a multivitamin that contains beta-carotene and aim to eat baby carrots at least three times a week.”
“Because multivitamin supplements alone did not increase carotenoid accumulation, it’s possible that carotenoids are absorbed differently depending on whether they come from food or supplements. The researchers hope to explore the mechanisms behind these findings and to study the effects of other carotenoid-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables.”
Simmons The research will be presented at the “Focus on Carotenoids and Retinoids: Insights into Delivery, Vision, and Disease Prevention” oral session on Sunday, June 30, from 8:00 to 8:12 a.m. CDT at McCormick Place.Abstract; Presentation details).
Please note that although the abstracts presented at NUTRITION 2024 were evaluated and selected by an expert committee, they have not undergone the peer review process typically required for publication in a scientific journal. Therefore, the presented research findings should be considered provisional until a peer-reviewed publication has been published.
About NUTRITION 2024
NUTRITION 2024 is the flagship meeting of the American Academy of Nutrition and the premier educational event for nutrition professionals worldwide. NUTRITION brings together laboratory scientists, clinicians, population health researchers, and community intervention investigators to identify solutions to today’s greatest nutrition challenges. Our audience also includes undergraduate, graduate, and medical students who are emerging leaders in the field. NUTRITION 2024 will be held June 29-July 2, 2024 in Chicago. https://nutrition.org/N24 #Nutrition2024
About the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)
ASN is the preeminent professional organization for nutrition researchers and clinicians worldwide. Founded in 1928, the Society brings together top nutrition researchers, health care professionals, policy makers, and industry leaders to advance nutrition knowledge and applications. ASN publishes four peer-reviewed journals and provides education and professional development opportunities to advance nutrition research, practice, and education. Since 2018, the American Society for Nutrition has produced NUTRITION, the world’s leading annual conference for nutrition professionals. http://www.nutrition.org
For more breaking news from NUTRITION 2024, visit https://www.eurekalert.org/newsroom/nutrition2024/home
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