Indeed, experiments have shown that β-carotene itself not only has an antioxidant effect, but can also act as a pro-oxidant, which can promote free radical-induced oxidation reactions. This is related to the nature of carotene and the oxidation-reduction potential of the environment. It is based on in vitro cell experiments.

 

In fact, alcohol itself will increase the body's oxidative stress. A large number of studies have shown that drinking too much can induce a large number of free radicals in the body and lead to lipid peroxidation. This may also be one of the causes of alcoholic liver disease. However, does the β-carotene in carrots play an anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant effect when drinking alcohol?

 

 

A Taiwan study on the overall antioxidant status of β-carotene in alcohol-drinking mice found that the glutathione (GSH) concentration in the liver of the rats in the β-carotene supplement group was significantly higher than that in the alcohol-only group , And the presence of β-carotene helps to reduce the inhibition of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) by some peroxides, improves its antioxidant capacity, and does not appear to promote increased oxidation.

 

On the contrary, drinking alcohol alone caused the body to be severely oxidized. Experiments also showed that the mice in the group without β-carotene can only mobilize their own antioxidant system to defend themselves after drinking. Moreover, eating β-carotene supplements helps reduce alcohol-induced liver damage in mice compared with the control group (the dose given is 30% of the total energy of ethanol, and β-carotene is provided at 500ug per kilogram of body weight). for reference only.

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