Accumulation and Excretion of Carotenoids after Regular Ingestion of Carrot Juice with a Lycopene-Free Diet

Abstract

The relationship between the body accumulation and excretion of β-carotene and lycopene was elucidated. A lycopene-free diet was fed to seven healthy women's university researchers and students, and the effect of ingesting β-carotene via carrot juice was evaluated. The serum β-carotene level was increased as a result of carrot juice ingestion, while the serum lycopene level was decreased as a result of lycopene restriction. It was assumed that the serum carotenoid level reflected daily life-styles and eating habits. A fecal analysis showed that the β-carotene level was increased as a result of carrot juice ingestion. This result suggests that residual β-carotene in the carrot juice that had not been absorbed in the small intestinal tract was excreted in the feces. The lycopene excretion level was increased under the same conditions. Judging from the fact that the dietary lycopene level had been restricted, it is proposed that carrot juice ingestion was related to the increased level of lycopene in the feces via an interactive effect between the ingestion of β-carotene and the excretion of lycopene.