Lutein | Common Uses | Benefits | Santa Color

The name lutein comes from the Latin word, lutea, meaning yellow. At normal concentrations in food, it is a yellow pigment, but can appear orange or red at high concentration.

Lutein, a nutrient found mainly in leafy green vegetables, is thought to protect against light-induced retina damage. While some studies show positive results from lutein use, more research is needed to determine its definitive benefits and safety.

Carotenoid lutein is a natural yellow food colorant extracted from marigold flowers that are grown in commercial plantations. It is found in high amounts in green leafy vegetables such as kales, spinach, and yellow carrots. It is also extracted from marigold flowers. Just like other carotenes, it offers health benefits as it is a robust antioxidant product used in functional foods.

Lutein has been studied in animals for diseases like cancer and diabetes, but this research hasn’t been conducted in humans. The claimed role for lutein in heart disease is based on findings that people with higher concentrations of lutein in their blood have fewer clogged arteries, but it is not certain that lutein is responsible.

Common Uses

 It is used as a food colorant due to its yellow-red color. It absorbs blue light, therefore, appearing yellow in low concentrations.  At high concentrations, the colorant is orange-red.

 It is a widely used colorant and nutrient supplement in baking products and mixes, soup mixes, beverages bases, chewing gum, dairy products, egg products, fats and oils, breakfast cereals, sauces and gravies, processed fruits and fruit juices, and frozen dairy desserts.

Benefits

Lutein offers a yellow color that has excellent heat stability, functioning well over a wide range of PH values. Lutein is oil soluble naturally. It is emulsified to offer water-dispersible liquid. It’s lipophilic meaning is insoluble in water.