Quiz – Orange You Happy About This Antioxidant?

The beauty of autumn comes in orange, red, and yellow on the trees, but it’s also good to see those colors in your grocery cart. Most orange vegetables are rich sources of beta-carotene, a substance which does much more than just help food look pretty. Enjoy your pumpkin spice latte, but don’t stop there—take our quiz and see what fruits and veggies to stock up on this fall:

1. Beta-carotene is a ____.

A. Vitamin
B. Mineral
C. Pigment
D. Type of seed

2. Beta-carotene may help lower the risk of normal cells becoming cancerous.

A. True
B. False

3. Another benefit of beta-carotene is that it ___.

A. Supports a healthy pregnancy
B. Protects the skin
C. Protects the eyes
D. All of the above

4. Supplements are a great way to get enough beta-carotene.

A. True
B. False

5. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, but so are ____.

A. Sweet potatoes
B. Winter squash
C. Pumpkins
D. Apricots
E. All of the above

6. Because of their lack of orange and yellow color, you can tell that collards, spinach, and kale are low in beta-carotene.

A. True
B. False

Answers:

1. C.  Pigment. Found in certain fruits and plants, this red-orange pigment is converted into vitamin A by the body.

2. A. True. Beta-carotene is part of a family of nutrients called carotenoids. Carotenoids are antioxidants, which are substances found in foods that prohibit oxidation of molecules. Oxidation can lead to cell damage that can cause cancer and other illnesses.

3. D. All of the above.  Research has also found that fruits with beta-carotene such as cantaloupe and mango can improve respiratory function.

4. B. False. Dietitians recommend getting beta-carotene through natural foods. This way, the body only converts as much as it needs. Over-supplementation can lead to toxic vitamin A levels. Beta-carotene supplements also interact with certain drugs including statins.

5. E. All of the above.

6. B. False. These veggies are actually high in beta-carotene, but the pigment is hidden by chlorophyll.

This quiz was developed from The Health Library and with the assistance of Hayley Miller RD, LD.