Comparing E160AI - Beta-carotene vs E161H - Zeaxanthin

Overview

E160AI - Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene (E160a(i)) is a bright yellow–orange color used in many foods and drinks. It’s the same natural pigment that makes carrots orange, and the body can convert it into vitamin A. Regulators in the U.S. and EU allow its use as a food color when good manufacturing practices are followed.

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E161H - Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin (E161h) is a yellow‑orange carotenoid pigment found naturally in foods like corn, orange peppers, and egg yolks. It’s used as a colouring ingredient in some markets and is better known as a component of eye‑health supplements alongside lutein. Regulatory rules vary by country, so you’ll most often see zeaxanthin on dietary supplement labels rather than everyday foods.

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Synonyms
E160ai
Beta-carotene
E161h
Zeaxanthin
Functions
colour
colour
Origins
Plant
Microbiological
Synthetic
Plant
Microbiological
Synthetic
Products

Found in 5,601 products

Found in 18 products

Search rank & volume
#2422K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#1518K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.05
under-aware

×51.05
over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. Does beta carotene make you tan?

    High intakes can give the skin a yellow‑orange tint (carotenodermia), especially on the palms and soles; it’s not a melanin “tan” and fades when intake is reduced.

  2. Is beta carotene bad for you?

    At the amounts used as a food color and from normal diets, it’s considered safe; however, high‑dose supplements have been linked to increased lung cancer risk in smokers and asbestos‑exposed people and can cause temporary skin yellowing.

  3. What foods have beta carotene?

    Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, spinach, kale, collards, apricots, mango, cantaloupe, and red/orange peppers are rich sources; it’s also added as color (E160a) to some foods.

  4. Is beta carotene vitamin a?

    No—it's a provitamin A carotenoid that your body converts to vitamin A (retinol) as needed.

  5. How much beta carotene per day?

    There’s no specific daily requirement for beta‑carotene; most people can meet vitamin A needs via carotenoid‑rich foods, and high‑dose beta‑carotene supplements (around 20 mg/day or more) are not recommended for smokers.

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  1. How much lutein and zeaxanthin should i take daily?

    There’s no official RDA, but clinical eye‑health studies commonly use 10 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin per day (the AREDS2 ratio). Intakes in foods are much lower, and supplement needs depend on individual circumstances.

  2. What is lutein and zeaxanthin?

    They are yellow-orange xanthophyll carotenoids from plants; zeaxanthin is also used as a food color (E161h). In the body they concentrate in the macula and lens of the eye.

  3. How do you pronounce zeaxanthin?

    Zee-uh-ZAN-thin.

  4. How much lutein and zeaxanthin per day?

    No official RDA exists; research commonly uses 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin daily (AREDS2). Choose doses based on product directions or medical advice.

  5. What is the best brand of lutein and zeaxanthin?

    There’s no single “best” brand; look for reputable products that disclose amounts (often 10 mg/2 mg), use known sources like marigold (Tagetes erecta), and have third‑party testing (e.g., USP or NSF).

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