Carotene and lycopene levels in breast milk after carrot and tomato paste
What it found
Eating fresh carrot or tomato paste raised beta-carotene and lycopene levels in the breast milk of nursing women.
This was measured over three days.
What they found
Studies in people
Beta-carotene from carrots
Women who ate carrot paste had a clear rise in beta-carotene in their breast milk. Each carrot meal provided 15 mg of this nutrient.
Lycopene from tomatoes
Women who ate tomato paste showed higher lycopene levels in their breast milk. Each tomato meal provided 15 mg of lycopene.
What the authors conclude
- They suggest that the amount of these nutrients in breast milk matches what the mother eats.
- They say simple food changes can raise these levels in nursing mothers.
- The authors note this may matter for mothers feeding both early-born and full-term babies by adding antioxidant properties to their milk.
How it was done
The researchers wanted to see if eating carrots or tomatoes could change the amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene in breast milk.
Twelve nursing women ate fresh carrot paste once a day for three days with a high-fat meal. Another 14 women ate fresh tomato paste the same way. They avoided other foods containing these nutrients, and their milk was tested before, during, and after.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial only lasted three days, so it cannot show how long the higher nutrient levels last.
- It only looked at healthy, well-nourished women, so results might differ for others.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
The paper
- Title
- Elevated milk β-carotene and lycopene after carrot and tomato paste supplementation
- Type
- Clinical trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Haftel L, Berkovich Z, Reifen R (2015). Elevated milk β-carotene and lycopene after carrot and tomato paste supplementation. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.10.009PubMed 25701332DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error