Abstract

VICTORIA-CAMPOS, Claudia I. et al. Dietary sources, bioavailability and health effects of carotenoids. Biotecnia [online]. 2023, vol.25, n.1, pp.156-168.  Epub Aug 07, 2023. ISSN 1665-1456.  https://doi.org/10.18633/biotecnia.v25i1.1809.

Carotenoids are non-polar compounds found in fruits and vegetables. The consumption of these compounds has been associated with many beneficial effects on human health, especially on the prevention of chronic diseases that are currently considered as problems of public health. These effects have mainly been attributed to the antioxidant properties of carotenoids, although many other mechanisms are involved, including the influence of carotenoids in the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Unfortunately, the bioavailability of these compounds is very limited. The effects of several factors on carotenoid bioavailability have been studied in order to identify the best strategies to increase their absorption and, consequently, their bioactivity. This review analyzes in a systematic fashion the recent findings on the composition of carotenoids composition in plant foods, and their bioavailability and beneficial effects on human health.

Keywords : Absorption; bioactivity; non-polar pigments; nutraceuticals; plant foods.

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