Beta-carotene, vitamin A and cataract risk in people
What it found
Higher beta-carotene levels in the blood and higher intakes of beta-carotene and vitamin A were linked to lower cataract risk in people.
Vitamin A blood levels alone showed no clear link until one analysis was adjusted.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood beta-carotene and cataracts
People with the highest blood levels of beta-carotene had a lower chance of getting cataracts compared to those with the lowest levels.
Eating beta-carotene and cataracts
Higher beta-carotene intake from food was linked to a lower cataract risk in people.
Vitamin A intake and cataracts
People who took in more vitamin A overall had a lower risk of developing cataracts.
Blood vitamin A and cataracts
At first, vitamin A levels in the blood showed no clear link to cataract risk. After removing certain studies, a link to lower risk appeared.
What the authors conclude
- They suggest that taking in more vitamin A and beta-carotene might be linked to a lower chance of getting cataracts.
How it was done
Scientists are not sure whether vitamin A and beta-carotene help protect against cataracts. The authors wanted to gather evidence from studies that followed people over time to find out.
The authors searched several research databases for studies linking vitamin A or beta-carotene to cataract risk. They combined results from twenty-two articles about people using statistical models. They also ran extra checks to look for differences between the studies.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These studies followed people over time, so they can show a link but cannot prove that beta-carotene or vitamin A prevents cataracts. Other habits or factors might explain the lower risk.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- the Medical College of Qingdao University, People's Republic of China
The paper
- Title
- Association of vitamin A and β-carotene with risk for age-related cataract: a meta-analysis
- Type
- Meta-analysis
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Wang A, Han J, Jiang Y, Zhang D (2014). Association of vitamin A and β-carotene with risk for age-related cataract: a meta-analysis. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.02.025PubMed 25194611DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error