Carotenoids, a class of brightly pigmented molecules found in plants, aid in the process of photosynthesis and serve a protective function in plants by warding off the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. Humans derive similar protective benefits...
An antioxidant, lutein is found in several foods, including leafy, dark green vegetables such as kale and dark leaf lettuce. Lutein is also found in egg yolks and corn. This beneficial substance helps prevent eye and skin conditions while helping...
Lutein is a type of phytochemical or plant nutrient believed to be crucial in maintaining eye health. Typically, lutein is used in conjunction with another carotenoid or plant pigment called zeaxanthin. Dietary sources of lutein include leafy...
Lutein is an antioxidant that may reduce your risk for macular degeneration, cataracts and certain types of cancer. Lutein is found in multivitamins, other nutritional supplements and an abundance of dark green vegetables such as kale, spinach and...
Nutritionists recommend raw, unsalted, nutritive nuts as part of heart-healthy eating While nuts are high in fat, the fat is unsaturated and good for building brain tissue without clogging arteries. Nuts are also rich in minerals such as...
Losing weight can often be a trying experience, especially when motivation is not consistent. The abdominal region can be particularly cumbersome as love handles and belly fat can be difficult to lose. Eating foods conducive to burning abdominal...
Cantaloupe grows naturally in the continents of Africa and Asia. According to a study published in the 2008 issue of "World Applied Sciences Journal," records show that the cultivation of cantaloupes started in 2400 B.C. Many people eat cantaloupe...
The aging process has pros and cons. You may gain wisdom, experience and value each day as a gift. Your body also begins aging and may no longer live at optimal functioning. Carmia Borek, Ph.D., Professor at Tufts University in Boston, Department...
The avocado, also referred to as the "Alligator Pear" due to its shape and the leather-like appearance of its skin, is a fruit. The most popular type of avocado in the United States is the Hass variety. The edible portion of an avocado is its...
Vitamin A, as retinol, helps produce the pigment of the retina and, as retinoic acid, functions as a growth promoter in certain cells, notably the cells that form linings, such as in the respiratory and digestive tracts. Vitamin A also acts as an...
The avocado, also referred to as the "alligator pear" because of its shape and the leather-like appearance of its skin, is a fruit. The edible portion of the avocado is its yellow-green flesh, which offers a rich, velvety consistency and a light...
Avocados, also colloquially called alligator pears, are prized for their heart-healthy fats and creamy taste. These fruits have a dark green inedible skin and a yellow-green flesh that can be eaten raw or cooked into other dishes. One popular way...
Sugar snap peas can feel like a decadent treat. Try snapping a ripe one directly off the vine and popping it in your mouth. The sun-ripened sweetness makes these peas taste as though they have more calories than they actually do. These peas are...
A mainstay of Mexican food, the avocado is well loved for its creamy texture and fresh flavor. Many varieties of avocado exist but the Hass variety is the most common in North America. California is by far the largest producer of avocados in the...
Lutein and lycopene are naturally occurring substances found in many plants. Both are classified as carotenoids, red, yellow or orange pigments synthesized in plants. Carotenoids in general have undergone a number of research studies as to their...
Lutein, an antioxidant found naturally in fruits and vegetables, helps maintain your and your children's eye health. Since children only need a small amount, which is easy to get through a well-balanced diet, you typically do not need to worry...
Lutein belongs to the carotenoid family, a group of vitamin A-related compounds that may be able to reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and eye degeneration, reports the International Carotenoid Society. You can get lutein from...
Lutein is a carotenoid, an antioxidant that pigments foods, found in egg yolks and green, leafy vegetables. The antioxidant qualities in lutein protect the body against free radicals. According to New York University Langone Medical Center,...
Lutein is a carotenoid, a red, yellow or orange plant pigment that acts as an antioxidant, destroying harmful substances in cell DNA that can contribute to diseases such as cancer or heart disease. The body doesn't make lutein, so it must come...
Eggs are widely consumed, and are an important component of your diet. When boiled, egg white coagulates and changes from transparent and runny to white and solid. The yolk changes from orange-yellow to light yellow. One medium egg contains about...
The avocado attained its reputation as an unhealthy diet food sometime in the 1980s, when the larger dieting community banished high-fat, high-calorie foods in favor of low-fat, low-calorie foods. While an avocado's fat content is approximately 20...
Lutein is a natural food pigment found in dark green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. Although it is not a nutrient, lutein is an antioxidant, which means that, like some nutrients, it protects cells against oxidative damage linked to symptoms of...
While its name might imply that the kiwifruit originated in New Zealand, it is actually native to China and was originally called the Chinese gooseberry. However, New Zealand is responsible for introducing the kiwifruit to the rest of the world....
Consider color coding your fruits and vegetables. When you think about their color, you will think about all those health benefits. Naturally occurring substances called phytochemicals are found mostly in fruits and vegetables and they play an...
One of the most important organs in the human body are the eyes. They provide us with our most basic sense, detailing the world around us. With so much modern emphasis on weight loss, dieting and exercise, we often forget about protecting our...
Fruits and vegetables are the richest sources of carotenoids, such as lutein, in the diet. Because lutein is often with zeaxanthin, another carotenoid, the two typically list as a combined number, with regard to their content in foods. According...
Lutein, also called xanthophyll, is a naturally-occurring pigment made by certain types of microorganisms and plants, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) explains. This antioxidant is a type of carotenoid that may be beneficial in...
Many consider tomatillos to be a vegetable, but botanically they are fruits. Tomatillos provide niacin, potassium, vitamin C and manganese, in addition to the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help to promote healthy vision. Use...
The World Health Organization estimates that macular degeneration is the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the incidence continues to increase with the aging population. Macular degeneration can lead to a progressive loss of vision,...
