Lutein and its potential health benefits
What it found
Lutein, a carotenoid found in green leafy vegetables and eggs, may offer benefits for the eyes, brain, skin, heart, bones and infections.
The authors say more research is needed.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Eye and nerve benefits
Lutein showed promising benefits against neurological disorders and eye diseases. Recent studies also looked at tiny-particle forms of lutein for eye disorders.
Other possible benefits
Lutein was assessed for benefits against heart problems, microbial infections, skin irritation and bone decay.
Other findings
Food sources
Lutein is found in green leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli, spinach, lettuce and peas, and also in eggs.
Drug interactions
The authors describe how lutein interacts with beta-carotene.
Safety and dosage
The authors looked at safety concerns and dosage for lutein.
Use in functional foods
A possible approach for using lutein in bioactive functional foods is discussed.
What the authors conclude
“lutein, as a nutritional substance, confers promising benefits against numerous health issues, including neurological disorders, eye diseases, skin irritation, etc.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say lutein, as a nutritional substance, offers promising benefits against numerous health issues.
- They note that as yet a minimal amount of literature has considered all its promising bioactivities.
- They suggest a possible approach for the use of lutein in bioactive functional foods.
How it was done
Carotenoids in food are believed to lower the risk of diseases, and lutein is one of the essential nutrients. The authors say little work has pulled together all of lutein's possible activities.
The authors gathered and described studies on lutein's health effects, its step-by-step making in plants, its interactions with beta-carotene, safety, dosage, and new tiny-particle forms for eye problems.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of other studies, not a new experiment in people.
- It cannot show that lutein causes any health benefit, only that studies have suggested links.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; University of Swabi, Pakistan; International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh
The paper
- Title
- Potential health benefits of carotenoid lutein: An updated review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Mitra S, Rauf A, Tareq AM, et al (2021). Potential health benefits of carotenoid lutein: An updated review. Food and chemical toxicology. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2021.112328PubMed 34111488DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error