Plasma concentration response to drinks containing beta-carotene as carrot juice or formulated as a water dispersible powder.

Background: Bioavailability of beta-carotene is highly variable and depends on the source, the formulation and other nutritional factors.

Objective: It was the aim of the study to compare beta-carotene plasma response to b-carotene dosing with two commercially available drinks, containing beta-carotene from carrot juice or as water dispersible beta-carotene powder. Design In a randomized, parallel group study design, 4 volunteers per group received daily beta-carotene doses of 6-7 or 18-22 mg of either drink over 6 weeks.