Changes of serum carotenoids and retinol levels after continual ingestion of carrot or tomato juice in human subjects

• Published in: Nihon Eiyō, Shokuryō Gakkai shi Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 21 - 24
• Main Authors: Sakamoto, H. (Kagome Co. Ltd., Nishinasuno, Tochigi (Japan). Research Inst.), Oshima, S, Ojima, F, Ishiguro, Y, Ogawa, M, Fukuba, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science 1997
• Subjects: BLOOD SERUM; CAROTENOIDE; CAROTENOIDES; CAROTENOIDS; CAROTTE; carrot juice; CARROTS; continual ingestion; FRUIT JUICES; JUGO DE FRUTAS; JUS DE FRUITS; RETINOL; serum carotenoids; SERUM SANGUIN; SUERO SANGUINEO; TOMATE; tomato juice; TOMATOES; ZANAHORIA
• ISSN: 0287-3516; 1883-2849
• DOI: 10.4327/jsnfs.50.21

Changes in serum carotenoids and retinol concentrations were assessed before and after continual ingestion of carrot juice or tomato juice. Sixty-four healthy female college students were divided into 3 groups. Two the the groups consumed 2 cans of each juice, and the control group received 2 cans of apple juice per day for 6 days. The levels of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene in serum showed a significant increase following the consumption of carrot juice. The serum lycopene concentration increased significantly, and the beta-carotene concentration showed a small increase after consumption of tomato juice. No significant changes were observed in the level of carotenoids in the apple juice group, or in the level of retinol in all the tested groups. It is concluded that continual ingestion of carrot juice or tomato juice is effective for elevation of the serum carotenoid level in humans