In which type of diet would you expect to see the highest levels of carotenoids?

Carotenoids are a group of pigments found predominantly in plants, where they play a crucial role in photosynthesis and serve as antioxidants in the human diet. They are abundant in colorful fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes. A plant-based diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed plant foods, which are rich sources of carotenoids due to their high vegetable and fruit content.

This kind of diet is generally low in animal-based foods, where carotenoid content is significantly lower. Therefore, the emphasis on fruits and vegetables in a plant-based diet leads to higher levels of carotenoids in the diet overall. While other diets, such as low-fat or high-carbohydrate diets, could include fruits and vegetables, they do not prioritize these food groups to the same extent as a plant-based diet. A high-protein diet typically focuses more on meat and dairy products, further reducing the intake of carotenoid-rich foods. Thus, a plant-based diet is expected to provide the highest levels of carotenoids due to its foundation of diverse and colorful plant foods.