Utilizing knowledge from the NHANES survey of 27,338 U.S. adults, researchers discovered that lutein/zeaxanthin and β-carotene have been the principle contributors to the constructive results.
The examine supplies additional proof of the advantages of carotenoids, whose antioxidant properties defend cells from harm. Along with their potential for growing old and power illnesses, their favorable results have been noticed for cognitive function and brain health, skin health and weight management.
How carotenoids have an effect on growing old
Vegetation, micro organism and fungi produce carotenoids, that are current in meals which are often yellow, orange or inexperienced, corresponding to carrots, spinach, mango, candy potatoes and egg yolks.
Though greater than 1,100 carotenoids are found in nature, solely a small quantity play a job within the human eating regimen.
The authors famous that probably the most ample within the eating regimen are α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, accounting for 95% of the carotenoids present in American blood and mind.
These bioactive compounds have antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties that defend cells and could also be useful for stopping illnesses which will happen as folks age.
Increased consumption of carotenoids is related to a decrease threat of cardiovascular disease and death in people with high blood pressure and age-related macular degeneration. As well as, carotenoids could defend in opposition to DNA harm and immune decline.
The present examine referenced earlier proof suggesting that carotenoids are useful for telomere size, the size of DNA on the finish of chromosomes that could be a biomarker of growing old.
Though the precise mechanisms are but to be recognized, carotenoids could positively have an effect on growing old by decreasing oxidative stress, selling DNA restore, stimulating genes encoding for antioxidant enzymes and regulating cell dying. As well as, the researchers famous that carotenoid consumption can promote intestine well being by regulating the steadiness of intestine flora.
Examine particulars
The cross-sectional examine included 27,338 adults from the NHANES 1999–2018 nationwide U.S. survey carried out by the Nationwide Heart for Well being Statistics (NCHS). Researchers assessed dietary consumption by way of two 24-hour dietary recall interviews and used organic growing old indices, together with allostatic load (AL), homeostatic dysregulation (HD), Klemera-Doubal technique (KDM) and phenoAge (PA).
They carried out statistical evaluation to discover the associations of single carotenoids and blended carotenoids with organic growing old.
The findings revealed that complete carotene, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin have been considerably negatively correlated with AL, HD, KDM and PA.
HD confirmed no important correlation with α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin.
Carotenoid mixtures had a big adverse correlation with the mixed impact on organic growing old, highlighting “that top ranges of lutein/zeaxanthin and β-carotene consumption could play a vital function in decreasing organic growing old indices,” the researchers wrote.
At baseline, the researchers discovered that these with increased complete carotene ranges have been extra prone to be male and older, have increased ranges of bodily exercise, earnings and schooling, and have decrease BMI.
They famous that this can be resulting from older people with increased financial standing paying extra consideration to wholesome consuming and physiological variations between genders affecting the absorption and utilization of carotenoids.
The examine acknowledged limitations of its methodology and referred to as for additional analysis to evaluate the organic capabilities of lutein/zeaxanthin and β-carotene.
Supply: Diet Journal, 24, 9 (2025). doi: 10.1186/s12937-025-01079-8. “Dietary carotenoid intakes and organic growing old amongst US adults, NHANES 1999–2018”. Authors: X. Qi et al.
