Study: Consuming Baby Carrots Could Aid Skin Carotenoids

New study findings from the American Society for Nutrition announced that consuming a snack of baby carrots at least 3 times a week could increase skin carotenoids among young adults.¹ The effects were greater when adding a multivitamin to the serving of carrots.

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Study authors noted that carotenoids are recognized as powerful antioxidant substances that aid reactions of neutralization of free radicals.² Free radicals can damage cells, exhibiting a possible link to cancer. However, antioxidants found in carrots display benefits of fighting these free radicals.³

Additionally, human skin contains carotenoids that serve the living cells as a protection against oxidation.² Individuals with high levels of skin carotenoids are linked with increased antioxidant protection, lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers, and improved skin health, according to study authors.¹

“Previous studies have demonstrated that skin carotenoid levels can be increased by consuming 3 times the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables every day for 3 weeks,” said Mary Harper Simmons, a student at Samford University, in a news release. “Our findings suggest that a small, simple dietary modification—incorporating baby carrots as a snack—can significantly increase skin carotenoid accumulation.”¹

The study included 60 individuals that were randomly assigned to receive a controlled amount of granny smith apple slices, 100 grams of baby carrots, a multivitamin supplement of beta carotene, or a combination of baby carrots and the supplement over a 4-week intervention.¹

The researchers noted that a 100-gram serving of baby carrots (about a half of cup) contains 35 calories. Baby carrots are reported to be high in calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron—highlighting their importance in aiding skin health.³

To measure the level of carotenoids in the skin, the researchers used a VeggieMeter spectroscopy, before and after the intervention, according to study authors.¹

Presented at the American Society Nutrition annual meeting—NUTRITION 2024—Simmons noted that the results displayed an increase in skin carotenoid scores among the individuals that received baby carrots. The study authors noted that individuals who consumed 100 grams of carrots displayed an increase in carotenoid scores by 10.8% and 21.6% among individuals that received the carrots with the supplement, compared to entry level scores.¹

The study authors noted that additional results found that carotenoid levels did not fluctuate among individuals that only received the multivitamin supplement due to differentiations on how carotenoids are absorbed. The researchers intend on conducting further research that will aid if adsorption changes if they are rooted from food or supplements.¹

“We found that the combination of baby carrots and a multivitamin supplement that contains beta carotene can have an interactive effect on skin carotenoid accumulation,” Simmons said, in a news release. “To get a beneficial effect, people should choose a multivitamin that contains beta carotene, and remember to eat baby carrots at least three times a week.”¹

References

1. Trying to eat more vegetables? Snacking on carrots might help. EurekAlert!. News release. June 30, 2024. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1048971

2. The Role of Carotenoids in Human Skin. National Library of Medicine. News release. December 16, 2011. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264659/

3. How Nutritious Are Carrots?. WebbMD. News release. January 25, 2024. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-carrots