Beta carotene is found in orange or yellow colored produce
Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (November 12, 2007; 167(20): 2184–2190) examined the long-term effects of beta-carotene supplementation on cognitive performance. In this study, Harvard researchers followed two groups of participants for 18 years. One group received a placebo, while the other was given 50 mg of beta carotene daily.
At the end of the follow-up period, individuals who had taken beta carotene demonstrated higher scores on cognitive tests compared with those in the placebo group. These findings suggest that long-term beta-carotene intake may be linked with better measures of mental clarity over time.
Interestingly, the benefits appeared to depend on duration of supplementation. In a separate analysis, participants evaluated after just one year of beta-carotene use showed no significant difference in cognitive performance compared with placebo. This contrast suggests that any cognitive effects associated with beta carotene may emerge only with long-term exposure, rather than short-term use.
