Carotenoids

Carotenoids (also referred to as carotenes) are a group of more than 600 highly colored plant compounds; however, only 14 have been identified in human blood and tissue [50]. The most prevalent carotenoids in North American diets include α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. Only three (α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin) are converted to vitamin A and are considered pro-vitamin A carotenoids [11].