The orange pigment of carrots, used as a color — and converted by your body into vitamin A.
Evidence & sources
High-dose beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer risk in smokers in large trials; beta-carotene from food has not shown this. Evidence: strong. Known: Two large randomized trials (ATBC and CARET). Unknown: Applies to supplements in smokers and asbestos-exposed workers. Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin A and Carotenoids Fact Sheet (Current revision).