Anticancer Effects
Like many carotenoids, zeaxanthin can resist the damage to cells and organs caused by free radicals in the human body. Studies have shown that zeaxanthin is more effective than β-carotene in inhibiting the auto-oxidation of cellular lipids and preventing cell damage caused by oxidation. The peroxidation of cellular lipids is related to tumor growth, which indicates that zeaxanthin has Reduce the occurrence of cancer and enhance immune function.
Prevention of cardiovascular disease
Studies have reported that people who consume more carotenoids on a daily basis have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (Angiocardiopathy). Researchers have found that under in vitro conditions, zeaxanthin can inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL); zeaxanthin can significantly reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction and help slow the progression of arteriosclerosis.
Preventing cataracts
Zeaxanthin is one of only two carotenoids in the lens. Its molecule has 11 conjugated double bonds and a hydroxyl group on the tail group. This structure gives it a strong antioxidant capacity. As a strong antioxidant, it can quench singlet oxygen and triplet states of photosensitizers, scavenge damaging oxygen free radicals, prevent membrane lipid peroxidation, reduce the formation of lipofuscin, and thus prevent the formation of cataracts. Studies have shown that people with high intake of lutein and zeaxanthin are 19% to 22% less likely to develop cataracts than those with low intake. Prevent age-related macular degeneration
Without a properly functioning macular area, a person’s main visual function will gradually be damaged, and there is even a risk of blindness. At the center of the macula, the incident light is the strongest and the most active oxygen is produced. A large number of epidemiological research results also show that zeaxanthin has the function of specifically absorbing blue light, which is the most damaging to the retina, thereby protecting the cone cells in the fovea of the retina. Many studies have shown that increasing zeaxanthin intake in the short term can increase macular pigment, thereby enhancing the macular area’s ability to fight damage from harmful substances and light rays, and preventing and slowing down age-related macular degeneration.
In addition, zeaxanthin itself has high nutritional value. After consumption, it can be converted into biologically active vitamin A in the human liver, which can promote human growth and development, protect vision and epithelial cells, improve disease resistance, enhance memory, It has special effects such as prolonging life.