Beta cryptoxanthin is a red-orange phytonutrient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As a provitamin A carotenoid, beta cryptoxanthin can be converted by the body to retinol (vitamin A).

Recent studies show that carotenoids from food, including beta cryptoxanthin, may help to protect against lung cancer.

Research also suggests this phytonutrient may help to protect against inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Like its other carotenoid cousins, beta-cryptoxanthin is lipid soluble and best used by the body when it is cooked and eaten with a small amount of healthy fat. Research shows as little as 3-5 g of fat in a meal helps to ensure carotenoid absorption.

References

Holick CN, Michaud DS, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, et al. Dietary carotenoids, serum beta-carotene, and retinol and risk of lung cancer in the alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene cohort study. Am J Epidemiol. 2002;156(6):536-547. Voorrips LE, Goldbohm RA, Brants HA, et al. A prospective cohort study on antioxidant and folate intake and male lung cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2000;9(4):357-365. Kohno H, Taima M, Sumida T, Azuma Y, Ogawa H, Tanaka T. Inhibitory effect of mandarin juice rich in beta-cryptoxanthin and hesperidin on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis in mice. Cancer Lett 2001 Dec 28;174(2):141-50. Pattison DJ, Symmons DP, Lunt M, Welch A, Bingham SA, Day NE, Silman AJ.Dietary beta-cryptoxanthin and inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a population-based prospective study.Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Aug;82(2):451-5