Carotenoids are a group of pigments found in plants that possess powerful antioxidant properties. These compounds have been linked to various health benefits, including a reduced risk of certain types of cancer.

Consuming a diet rich in carotenoid-rich foods can help protect the body against cancer development and promote overall well-being. Here are the top 30 foods that are abundant in anti-cancer carotenoids:.

1. Carrots

Carrots are a fantastic source of carotenoids, most notably beta-carotene, which gives them their vibrant orange color. Beta-carotene has been shown to protect against lung, breast, and colon cancers.

Include carrots in your diet by enjoying them raw, juiced, or cooked in various dishes.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid known for its potent antioxidant properties. Lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate, lung, and stomach cancers. Enjoy tomatoes in salads, sauces, or simply as a tasty snack.

3. Spinach

Spinach is loaded with carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are essential for maintaining healthy vision and have been linked to a reduced risk of colon and breast cancers.

Add spinach to your salads, smoothies, or sauté it as a delicious side dish.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed with the carotenoids beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. These compounds have been shown to protect against various types of cancer, including lung, breast, and stomach cancers.

Enjoy roasted sweet potatoes or make a delectable sweet potato mash.

5. Kale

Kale is a cruciferous vegetable that contains high levels of carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of colon and breast cancers.

Incorporate kale into your diet by making salads, sautéing it, or adding it to smoothies.

6. Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers are a fantastic source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene and capsanthin. These compounds have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties and may help protect against lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers.

Enjoy red bell peppers raw in salads, roasted, or sautéed in various dishes.

7. Papaya

Papaya is an excellent source of carotenoids, particularly beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, cervical, and breast cancers.

Add papaya to your fruit salads, smoothies, or enjoy it on its own for a tropical treat.

8. Broccoli

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that contains various carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

These compounds have been shown to possess powerful anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk of colon, lung, and stomach cancers. Incorporate broccoli into your diet by steaming, roasting, or adding it to stir-fries.

9. Apricots

Apricots are packed with carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lycopene. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and cervical cancers.

Enjoy fresh apricots as a healthy snack or add them to your favorite recipes for a burst of natural sweetness.

10. Watermelon

Watermelon is a delicious summer fruit that contains high levels of lycopene, a carotenoid with potent anti-cancer properties. Lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate, lung, and stomach cancers.

Enjoy juicy watermelon slices on their own or use them in refreshing fruit salads.

11. Peaches

Peaches are a fantastic source of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and colon cancers.

Enjoy fresh peaches as a healthy snack or incorporate them into smoothies, salads, or desserts.

12. Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. These compounds have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties and may help protect against lung, breast, and stomach cancers.

Roast butternut squash cubes or use them in soups and stews.

13. Mangoes

Mangoes are packed with carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and cervical cancers.

Enjoy fresh mangoes on their own, in smoothies, or use them to make delicious salsas.

14. Oranges

Oranges are an excellent source of carotenoids, including beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, cervical, and stomach cancers.

Enjoy oranges as a refreshing snack, squeeze them for fresh juice, or use them in salads.

15. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is loaded with carotenoids, including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin.

These compounds have been shown to possess potent anti-cancer properties and may help protect against various types of cancer, including lung, breast, and stomach cancers. Use pumpkin puree in soups, desserts, or even bake pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.

16. Red Grapes

Red grapes are rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of prostate, lung, and stomach cancers.

Enjoy red grapes as a sweet and healthy snack or add them to fruit salads and desserts.

17. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable that contains various carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

These compounds have been shown to possess powerful anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk of colon, lung, and stomach cancers. Enjoy Brussels sprouts roasted, steamed, or sautéed as a tasty side dish.

18. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is packed with carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and cervical cancers.

Enjoy juicy slices of cantaloupe on their own or add them to fruit salads and smoothies for a refreshing twist.

19. Mango

Mango is a tropical fruit that contains high levels of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and cervical cancers.

Enjoy fresh mangoes on their own or incorporate them into smoothies, sauces, and desserts.

20. Green Beans

Green beans are an excellent source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These compounds have been shown to possess powerful anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk of colon, lung, and stomach cancers.

Steam or lightly sauté green beans for a tasty and nutritious side dish.

21. Kiwi

Kiwi is packed with carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and colon cancers.

Enjoy kiwi on its own, add it to fruit salads, or use it as a flavorful topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls.

22. Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. These compounds have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties and may help protect against lung, breast, and stomach cancers.

Roast acorn squash halves or use them as a hearty side dish.

23. Green Peas

Green peas are a fantastic source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of colon, lung, and stomach cancers.

Enjoy green peas steamed, added to salads, or use them in various vegetable dishes.

24. Winter Squash

Winter squash varieties like butternut squash and acorn squash are loaded with carotenoids, including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin.

These compounds have been shown to possess potent anti-cancer properties and may help protect against various types of cancer, including lung, breast, and stomach cancers. Roast or bake winter squash for a delicious and nutritious meal.

25. Tangerines

Tangerines are an excellent source of carotenoids, including beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein. These compounds have been associated with a reduced risk of lung, stomach, and cervical cancers.

Enjoy tangerines as a portable and refreshing snack or use them in citrusy recipes and salads.

26. Mango

Enjoy fresh mangoes on their own or incorporate them into smoothies, sauces, and desserts.

27. Green Peppers

Green peppers are rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and capsanthin. These compounds have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties and may help protect against lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers.

Enjoy green bell peppers raw in salads, roasted, or sautéed in various dishes.