Nutrients -> Other Components -> Fat soluble vitamins

Carotenoids Foods high in carotenoids and how much you need · Fat soluble vitamins

Most in a serving
Kale

There's no official daily target for carotenoids.

Among plant foods, kale, tomato juice and tomato puree have the most carotenoids per serving.

Are you getting enough carotenoids?

Knowing where carotenoids comes from is one part of the puzzle. Nutriely adds it up across your day against your own targets, shows which foods it came from and how it fits with every other nutrient.

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Foods highest in carotenoids

Ranked from 743 foods in our catalog, one entry per food.

  1. 1
    Kale 35,445 µg
    serving (85 g) · Vegetables
  2. 2
    Tomato juice 22,894 µg
    cup (240 g) · Vegetable juices
  3. 3
    Tomato puree 14,052 µg
    serving (60 g) · Condiments
  4. 4
    Watermelon 13,613 µg
    serving (280 g) · Fruits
  5. 5
    serving (130 g) · Canned vegetables
  6. 6
    Carrot, fried 10,884 µg
    serving (85 g) · Cooked vegetables
  7. 7
    Celery 8,582 µg
    serving (85 g) · Vegetables
  8. 8
    serving (85 g) · Cooked vegetables
  9. 9
    Mashed carrot 7,982 µg
    serving (85 g) · Cooked vegetables
  10. 10
    Guava 7,809 µg
    serving (140 g) · Fruits
  11. 11
    serving (40 g) · Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  12. 12
    serving (130 g) · Canned vegetables
  13. 13
    Spinach 6,573 µg
    serving (85 g) · Vegetables
  14. 14
    Papaya 3,895 µg
    serving (140 g) · Fruits
  15. 15
    Pea, green, dried 2,669 µg
    serving (35 g) · Pulses
  16. 16
    serving (40 g) · Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  17. 17
    Pulled pork 2,004 µg
    serving (85 g) · Meat dishes
  18. 18
    serving (63 g) · Condiments
  19. 19
    serving (55 g) · Sausages
  20. 20
    Chanterelle, fried 1,388 µg
    serving (85 g) · Mushroom
  1. 1
    Kale 35,445 µg
    serving (85 g) · Vegetables
  2. 2
    Tomato juice 22,894 µg
    cup (240 g) · Vegetable juices
  3. 3
    Tomato puree 14,052 µg
    serving (60 g) · Condiments
  4. 4
    Watermelon 13,613 µg
    serving (280 g) · Fruits
  5. 5
    serving (130 g) · Canned vegetables
  6. 6
    Carrot, baked 10,315 µg
    serving (85 g) · Cooked vegetables
  7. 7
    Celery 8,582 µg
    serving (85 g) · Vegetables
  8. 8
    serving (85 g) · Cooked vegetables
  9. 9
    Guava 7,809 µg
    serving (140 g) · Fruits
  10. 10
    Spinach boiled 7,732 µg
    serving (85 g) · Cooked vegetables
  11. 11
    serving (40 g) · Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  12. 12
    serving (130 g) · Canned vegetables
  13. 13
    Spinach 6,573 µg
    serving (85 g) · Vegetables
  14. 14
    Papaya 3,895 µg
    serving (140 g) · Fruits
  15. 15
    Pea, green, dried 2,669 µg
    serving (35 g) · Pulses
  16. 16
    serving (40 g) · Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  17. 17
    serving (240 g) · Juices
  18. 18
    serving (30 g) · Flour
  19. 19
    serving (85 g) · Mushroom
  20. 20
    serving (85 g) · Mushroom
  1. 1
    Carrot, dried 94,384 µg
    Vegetables
  2. 2
    Vegetables
  3. 3
    Paprika powder 48,759 µg
    Spices
  4. 4
    Canned vegetables
  5. 5
    Kale 41,700 µg
    Vegetables
  6. 6
    Matcha 29,000 µg
    Tea
  7. 7
    Tomato puree 23,420 µg
    Condiments
  8. 8
    Spices
  9. 9
    Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  10. 10
    Chili powder 17,090 µg
    Spices
  11. 11
    Canned vegetables
  12. 12
    Carrot juice 13,645 µg
    Vegetable juices
  13. 13
    Cooked vegetables
  14. 14
    Tomato powder 10,348 µg
    Canned vegetables
  15. 15
    Cooked vegetables
  16. 16
    Tomato juice 9,539 µg
    Vegetable juices
  17. 17
    Mashed carrot 9,391 µg
    Cooked vegetables
  18. 18
    Pea, green, dried 7,624 µg
    Pulses
  19. 19
    Guava 5,578 µg
    Fruits
  20. 20
    Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  1. 1
    Carrot, dried 94,384 µg
    Vegetables
  2. 2
    Vegetables
  3. 3
    Paprika powder 48,759 µg
    Spices
  4. 4
    Canned vegetables
  5. 5
    Kale 41,700 µg
    Vegetables
  6. 6
    Matcha 29,000 µg
    Tea
  7. 7
    Tomato puree 23,420 µg
    Condiments
  8. 8
    Spices
  9. 9
    Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
  10. 10
    Chili powder 17,090 µg
    Spices
  11. 11
    Canned vegetables
  12. 12
    Carrot juice 13,645 µg
    Vegetable juices
  13. 13
    Cooked vegetables
  14. 14
    Tomato powder 10,348 µg
    Canned vegetables
  15. 15
    Tomato juice 9,539 µg
    Vegetable juices
  16. 16
    Cooked vegetables
  17. 17
    Spinach boiled 9,097 µg
    Cooked vegetables
  18. 18
    Pea, green, dried 7,624 µg
    Pulses
  19. 19
    Guava 5,578 µg
    Fruits
  20. 20
    Nuts, seeds and dried fruits

Learn about carotenoids

What are carotenoids?

Carotenoids refers to a group of over 600 pigments that are found in plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. These compounds are responsible for the vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors in many fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids also act as antioxidants in the body, helping to protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals.

What do carotenoids do for the body?

Carotenoids are a group of antioxidants that are important for maintaining overall health. They have been linked to promoting eye health, reducing the risk of certain cancers, and supporting a healthy immune system. Additionally, carotenoids may also help protect the skin from UV damage and contribute to a healthy heart.

How much carotenoids do I need?

There is no specific recommended daily intake for total carotenoids as a group. However, including a variety of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet can have positive effects on your overall health. These foods provide important antioxidants and contribute to the maintenance of good vision, immune function, and skin health.

What are the health benefits of carotenoids?

Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, are known for their powerful antioxidant properties. They can help neutralize free radicals in the body, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer and heart disease. Carotenoids also play a role in supporting eye health and may help protect against age-related macular degeneration.

What are the health risks of carotenoids?

Carotenoids, including beta-carotene, are generally considered safe and beneficial for health. They are powerful antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers. However, it's always best to consume carotenoids from a variety of fruits and vegetables rather than relying on supplements.

Can carotenoids be harmful?

Carotenoids are generally not harmful when consumed through natural food sources. However, excessive intake of carotenoids may cause a reversible condition called carotenosis, which leads to yellowing of the skin. It's important to consume carotenoids as part of a balanced diet to avoid potential side effects from overconsumption.

Can your carotenoids levels be low?

There is no specific recommendation for total carotenoids daily intake. However, some carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, are converted to vitamin A in our body. Therefore, a low intake of foods containing carotenoids, combined with a low intake of retinol-containing products, might lead to vitamin A deficiency. Including more carotenoid-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens in your diet can help increase your vitamin A levels.

How do vegans get their carotenoids intake?

Vegans can obtain carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, from a variety of plant-based sources. Foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and pumpkin are rich in carotenoids.

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