Overview of the Potential Beneficial Effects of Carotenoids on Consumer Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Well-known experimental research demonstrates that oxidative stress is the leading cause of the onset and progression of major human health disorders such as cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and cancer diseases. A high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species leads to damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA associated with susceptibility to chronic human degenerative disorders. Biological and pharmaceutical investigations have recently focused on exploring both oxidative stress and its defense mechanisms to manage health disorders. Therefore, in recent years there has been considerable interest in bioactive food plant compounds as naturally occurring antioxidant sources able to prevent, reverse, and/or reduce susceptibility to chronic disease. To contribute to this research aim, herein, we reviewed the beneficial effects of carotenoids on human health. Carotenoids are bioactive compounds widely existing in natural fruits and vegetables. Increasing research has confirmed that carotenoids have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory activities. This paper presents an overview of the latest research progress on the biochemistry and preventative and therapeutic benefits of carotenoids, particularly lycopene, in promoting human health. This review could be a starting point for improving the research and investigation of carotenoids as possible ingredients of functional health foods and nutraceuticals in the fields of healthy products, cosmetics, medicine, and the chemical industry.

Keywords: antioxidant; chronic diseases; food supplements; human health; lutein; lycopene; β-carotene.

Figure 1

(a) Carotene- and (b) xanthophyll-like structures.

Figure 2

The dietary carotenoids from the major fruits and vegetables.

Figure 3

Lycopene absorption from the consumption of food.