Paprika oleoresin carotenoids and safety over 12 weeks
What it found
In 33 healthy adults, taking paprika oleoresin capsules for 12 weeks raised blood levels of some carotenoids, and no adverse events were linked to the intake.
The authors call paprika oleoresin a suitable source of carotenoids, especially β-cryptoxanthin.
What they found
Studies in people
Carotenoids in blood
β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin rose in the blood in a dose-dependent way over the 12 weeks of supplementation, within the dose range tested.
β-cryptoxanthin levels
β-cryptoxanthin built up to higher levels in the blood than the other paprika oleoresin carotenoids.
Capsanthin not detected
Capsanthin was not found in the blood before or at any point during the 12-week treatment.
Safety checks
No adverse events were linked to taking paprika oleoresin at 20 or 100 mg per day, based on blood biochemistry, hematology, and urine analyses.
What the authors conclude
“Paprika oleoresin is a suitable source of carotenoids, especially β-cryptoxanthin.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say paprika oleoresin is a suitable source of carotenoids, especially β-cryptoxanthin.
- They report that no adverse events were associated with intake of paprika oleoresin at 20 and 100 mg/day in their safety evaluations.
How it was done
Paprika oleoresin comes from Capsicum annuum L. fruits and contains carotenoids such as capsanthin, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin, which are considered protective against various diseases. The authors wanted to see how these carotenoids build up in blood and to check the oleoresin's safety.
They ran a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults. 33 subjects were randomly split into three groups taking capsules with 0, 20, or 100 mg of paprika oleoresin daily for 12 weeks. Blood carotenoid levels were measured at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and safety was checked with blood biochemistry, hematology, and urine tests.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a 12-week study in 33 healthy adults, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods or in other groups of people.
- It measured blood carotenoid levels and safety markers, not whether the carotenoids prevent any disease.
The paper
- Title
- Safety Evaluation and Plasma Carotenoid Accumulation in Healthy Adult Subjects after 12 Weeks of Paprika Oleoresin Supplementation
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Umigai N, Murakami K, Shimizu R, Takeda R, Azuma T (2018). Safety Evaluation and Plasma Carotenoid Accumulation in Healthy Adult Subjects after 12 Weeks of Paprika Oleoresin Supplementation. Journal of oleo science. doi:10.5650/jos.ess17155PubMed 29367485DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error