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Vitamin A and Florida Orange Juice

Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision and supports night vision. Vitamin A also contributes to the normal function of the immune system, helps build strong bones and teeth, and supports healthy skin.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is not one vitamin but consists of a group of compounds with vitamin A activity.1 Vitamin A is found in many animal foods such as eggs and meat. Many plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, have colorful pigments called provitamin A carotenoids which can convert to vitamin A in the body.1,2 The most commonly known provitamin A carotenoid is beta-carotene.

Benefits of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important in many ways:3

  • Aids normal bone and tooth development
  • Aids in the development and maintenance of night vision
  • Aids in maintaining the health of the skin and membranes
  • Contributes to the normal function of the immune system
  • Contributes to the maintenance of normal vision
  • Helps build strong bones and teeth
  • Supports night vision
  • Supports healthy skin

Foods with Provitamin A Carotenoids

Oranges and 100% orange juice are one of the main contributors of a provitamin A carotenoid called beta-cryptoxanthin in the U.S. diet.4 An abundance of provitamin A carotenoids can be found in sweet potatoes, pumpkin and cantaloupe, making these foods reddish orange.

An 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice supplies 2% of the recommended Daily Value for vitamin A.*

Vitamin A Deficiency

Inadequate intake of vitamin A can lead to vision disturbances, blindness, a higher risk for illness, and impairment of iron transport within the body.1 Vitamin A deficiency is rare in North America, but occurs in many developing countries.5

DID YOU KNOW?

100% orange juice has all 3 provitamin A carotenoids that can form vitamin A in the body – beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin.6

Through the Life Stages

Here’s why vitamin A is so important at all life stages:

Prenatal and Post Natal

  • Aids normal bone and tooth development
  • Supports healthy skin
  • Too much vitamin A, such as in high dose supplements with greater than 100% of the recommended daily amount, can be harmful. Foods rich in provitamin A carotenoids are one of the safest ways to consume vitamin A1,2

Kids, Teens & Young Adults

  • Helps build strong bones and teeth
  • Supports normal and night vision
  • Supports healthy skin
  • Contributes to the normal function of the immune system

Adults

  • Helps build strong bones and teeth
  • Supports normal and night vision
  • Supports healthy skin
  • Contributes to the normal function of the immune system

*Values based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrient values may vary based on manufacturer, brand, and product types.

BACK TO NUTRITION FACTS

References

  1. Carotenoids, In: Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Institute of Medicine. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC. 2000.
  2. Government of Canada, 2019. Acceptable Nutrient Function Claims, Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  3. Murphy et al. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112:222-229.
  4. Micronutrient Deficiencies. Vitamin A Deficiency. World Health Organization. 2018.
  5. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (slightly revised). US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory; May 2016.