Beta-Carotene
other Unit: mcg
Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid that gives orange and yellow plant foods their color. The body converts it to retinol on demand, making it a safe plant-based source of vitamin A — unlike preformed retinol, it does not accumulate to toxic levels. It also acts as a direct antioxidant, though large-dose supplementation has not replicated the protective effects of dietary intake and may even be harmful in smokers.
Reference Daily Intake · per 100g
USDA/NIH DRI · National Academies
Top 20 Foods by Beta-Carotene
See all 2323 foods →Reference Daily Intake
No established RDA for this nutrient.
| # | Food | per 100g |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freeze-Dried Red Bell Pepper | 42891.0 mcg |
| 2 | Dehydrated Carrot | 33954.0 mcg |
| 3 | Paprika | 26162.0 mcg |
| 4 | Red Pepper (Cayenne) | 21840.0 mcg |
| 5 | Raw Grape Leaves | 16194.0 mcg |
| 6 | Chili Powder | 15000.0 mcg |
| 7 | Sun-Dried Hot Chile Peppers | 14844.0 mcg |
| 8 | Unsalted Sweet Potato Chips | 14205.0 mcg |
| 9 | Baked Frozen Sweet Potato | 12498.0 mcg |
| 10 | Baked Sweet Potato | 11509.0 mcg |
| 11 | Tomato Powder | 10348.0 mcg |
| 12 | Boiled Sweet Potato | 9444.0 mcg |
| 13 | Boiled Sweet Potato without Skin | 9444.0 mcg |
| 14 | Canned Carrot Juice | 9303.0 mcg |
| 15 | Boiled Dandelion Greens with Salt | 8727.0 mcg |
| 16 | Raw Sweet Potato | 8509.0 mcg |
| 17 | Boiled Carrots with Salt | 8332.0 mcg |
| 18 | Cooked Carrots (Boiled, Drained) | 8332.0 mcg |
| 19 | Raw Carrots | 8285.0 mcg |
| 20 | Frozen Carrots, Boiled | 8199.0 mcg |