If most folks know anything about beta-carotene, it’s that this nutrient found in carrots can protect the eyes and help save your vision. But it could save something even more precious: Your life. Beta-carotene can help protect you from one of today’s leading killer diseases, cutting your risk of diabetes by 22 percent. And another healthy carotenoid found in carrots, alpha-carotene, can cut that risk by 15 percent, according to the study in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. Like other carotenoids, alpha- and beta-carotene can fight oxidative stress, helping to reverse the damage that ultimately leads to chronic disease such as diabetes. They just do it better than the others, especially beta-carotene, which is one of the most potent antioxidants of the carotenoids. Along with carrots, you’ll find both alpha- and beta-carotene in a number of other vegetables, especially orange ones such as pumpkin and squash. And of course, you’ll also find them in a quality carotenoid supplement.

Reference:

‍Dietary carotenoids linked to lower type 2 diabetes risks in healthy adults