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Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a class of natural fat-soluble pigments that give plants their
red and yellow colours. Carotenoids are primarily found in plants, algae and
photosynthetic bacteria and aid in plant photosynthesis: the process of using
light to produce energy reactions in plants.
There are over 600 types of Carotenoids, with each type having a different
biological effect, dependant on their make up. Carotenoids are beneficial to
humans as they serve as anti-oxidants and a source of vitamin A.
Vitamin A is important, as a deficiency of Vitamin A is the major cause of
premature death in developing countries. Anti-oxidants are equally important
as they protect cells and tissue from the damaging effect of free radicals.
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