Some info on this antioxidant :
Several fruits and vegetables are rich sources of beta carotene. Foods orange in color -- such as sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and cantaloupe -- contain beta carotene, as do a select group of green vegetables, including spinach and collard greens.
But before you load up the refrigerator with foods rich in beta carotene or purchase beta carotene dietary supplements, you should understand how the antioxidant can -- and can't -- affect your health.
** Heart attack: While it may ward off cancer, beta carotene does not reduce the chances of suffering a heart attack or coronary artery disease.
** Oral cancer: Beta carotene supplements have shown a positive impact on fighting oral leukoplakia, a precancerous lesion in the mouth.
** Liver damage: High doses of beta carotene and alcohol consumption are not a good mix. The antioxidant might actually magnify the damaging effect alcohol has on the liver.
** Skin discoloration: High doses of beta carotene can produce a harmless yellowish skin tone.
** Eye conditions: Most of us have been told that eating plenty of carrots will make our eyes strong. But when it comes to developing cataracts, beta carotene supplements have no apparent preventative qualities.
Several fruits and vegetables are rich sources of beta carotene. Foods orange in color -- such as sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and cantaloupe -- contain beta carotene, as do a select group of green vegetables, including spinach and collard greens.
But before you load up the refrigerator with foods rich in beta carotene or purchase beta carotene dietary supplements, you should understand how the antioxidant can -- and can't -- affect your health.
** Heart attack: While it may ward off cancer, beta carotene does not reduce the chances of suffering a heart attack or coronary artery disease.
** Oral cancer: Beta carotene supplements have shown a positive impact on fighting oral leukoplakia, a precancerous lesion in the mouth.
** Liver damage: High doses of beta carotene and alcohol consumption are not a good mix. The antioxidant might actually magnify the damaging effect alcohol has on the liver.
** Skin discoloration: High doses of beta carotene can produce a harmless yellowish skin tone.
** Eye conditions: Most of us have been told that eating plenty of carrots will make our eyes strong. But when it comes to developing cataracts, beta carotene supplements have no apparent preventative qualities.