“What’s up, Doc?” 🥕 The Powerful Molecule that Supports Brain Health
Posted: January 27, 2023 | By: Youngevity
The Positive Effects of Carotenoids
You might not believe it, but it seems there’s a strong reason that Bugs Bunny was always eating carrots — and it wasn’t just to buy him time between jokes. He was clever! It turns out that Carotenoids, which are a class of naturally occurring pigmented molecules derived from Vitamin A, are found in red, yellow, orange, and dark green fruits and vegetables — including carrots— and are known for their health-promoting and brain-boosting properties. But exactly how these amazing carotenoid molecules positively affect brain health is something that has more recently been uncovered.
Higher cognitive function
As we may know, oxidative stress, or the presence of too many free radicals in the body, has been linked to a number of health related concerns, including issues specifically in the brain. A recent study released in the publication Nutrients showed that Carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, have been found to be effective in neutralizing free radicals and actually reducing oxidative stress in the brain. That means these carotenoids are super strong antioxidants!
Furthermore, in an article on the website nutrition.org, author Kathy Beerman, PhD states, “A study based on 16,010 female participants in the Nurses’ Health Study reported that those with higher mean intakes of carotenoids over 15 years had better overall cognition at older ages, and slower cognitive decline measured by neuropsychological testing.” Dr. Beerman continues: “Higher intake of total dietary carotenoids was associated with a substantially lower risk of moderate or poor cognitive function. Among the 49,493 US female nurses followed from middle to late adulthood, a long-term higher intake of total carotenoids was associated with 14% lower odds of moderate subjective cognitive function and 33% lower odds of poor subjective cognitive function in later life.” See? This may be why Bugs Bunny was so clever! 🧠
Power of carotenoids
So how does it all work? Well, in addition to their antioxidant properties, carotenoids have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. Inflammation in the brain is thought to play a role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Carotenoids have been found to reduce inflammation in the brain, which may help to protect against the development of these disorders.
Additionally, carotenoids positively affect brain health by improving cognitive function. A study discussed on memoryhealth.com found that people with higher levels of carotenoids in their blood have better cognitive function, particularly in terms of memory and executive function. This may be due to the fact that carotenoids help to protect the brain against damage caused by aging.
What’s more, carotenoids have also been found to be beneficial for mental health. The same study found that people with higher levels of carotenoids in their blood have a lower risk of depression and anxiety. This goes back to the fact that carotenoids have anti-inflammatory effects, which helps to reduce the risk of mental health disorders.
Eat the Rainbow!
So what can we do to ensure we’re consuming enough carotenoids? Just remember: Eat the rainbow! The more fruits and vegetables you eat in a wide variety of colors, the better. Foods that are shown to be rich in carotenoids are leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and bell peppers. So, if you’re unsure about whether you’re getting all the nutrition you need, consider adding 38 whole fruits and vegetables to your day with the new 18 Daily Super Fruit Blend & 20 Daily Super Veggie Blend! You’ll be getting wholefoods that work together to provide you with more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your body needs to help supplement your healthy lifestyle.
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