Cryptoxanthin
Provitamin A carotenoid found in citrus fruits, peppers, and corn. Converted to vitamin A in the body.
No established daily requirement for this nutrient.
Top Foods Highest in Cryptoxanthin
Amount per 100g serving. Values in µg per 100g.
Foods Highest in Cryptoxanthin (Table)
| # | Food | Per 100g | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spices, pepper, red or cayenne | 6,252 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 2 | Spices, paprika | 6,186 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 3 | Spices, chili powder | 3,490 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 4 | Squash, winter, butternut, cooked, baked, with salt | 3,116 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 5 | Squash, winter, butternut, cooked, baked, without salt | 3,116 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 6 | Squash, winter, butternut, frozen, unprepared | 1,564 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 7 | Persimmons, japanese, raw | 1,447 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 8 | Squash, winter, hubbard, cooked, boiled, mashed, without sal | 1,119 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 9 | Peppers, hot chile, sun-dried | 1,103 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 10 | Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), canned, juice pack, drained | 775 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 11 | Papayas, raw | 589 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 12 | Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), canned, juice pack | 503 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 13 | Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), canned, light syrup pack | 496 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 14 | Peppers, hot chili, red, canned, excluding seeds, solids and | 495 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 15 | Rose Hips, wild (Northern Plains Indians) | 483 µg | American Indian/Alaska Native Foods |
| 16 | Peppers, sweet, red, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt | 460 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 17 | Peppers, sweet, red, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 460 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 18 | Peaches, dried, sulfured, uncooked | 444 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 19 | Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw | 407 µg | Fruits and Fruit Juices |
| 20 | Sauce, hot chile, sriracha, CHA! BY TEXAS PETE | 383 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
Health Effects of Cryptoxanthin
Cryptoxanthin is a provitamin A carotenoid (about half the vitamin A activity of beta-carotene) and an antioxidant found primarily in citrus fruits, papaya, and red peppers.
No specific cryptoxanthin deficiency; low intake contributes to reduced antioxidant status and vitamin A insufficiency.
No known toxicity from food sources. Like other carotenoids, very high intake may cause harmless orange skin discoloration.
Absorption & Interactions
Fat-soluble; absorbed with dietary fat. Found in both free and esterified forms in foods. Bioavailability is generally higher than beta-carotene because it is not embedded in chloroplasts.
Other Vitamins
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Cryptoxanthin do I need per day?
There is no established daily requirement for Cryptoxanthin.
Which food has the most Cryptoxanthin?
The food highest in Cryptoxanthin is Spices, pepper, red or cayenne with 6,252 µg per 100g.
What does Cryptoxanthin do in the body?
Provitamin A carotenoid found in citrus fruits, peppers, and corn. Converted to vitamin A in the body.