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Functions in your body Vitamin A is essential for your health. It supports cell growth, immune function, fetal development, and vision. Perhaps one of the best-known functions of vitamin A is its role in vision and  eye health . Retinal, the active form of vitamin A, combines with the protein opsin to form rhodopsin, a molecule necessary for color vision and low light vision . It also helps protect and maintain the cornea, which is the outermost layer of your eye, and the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the surface of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. Trusted Sou May protect against certain cancers Due to their antioxidant properties, carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables may protect against certain types of cancer. For example, a study in more than 10,000 adults found that smokers with the highest blood levels of alpha carotene and beta cryptoxanthin had a 46% and 61% lower risk of dying from lung cancer, respectively, than nonsmokers with the lowest intake of these nu

Antioxidants are substances that prevent or delay cell damage caused by compounds called free radicals. These free radicals are highly reactive compounds that can damage cells and lead to the development of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and more. Antioxidants counter the damage caused by free radicals. Therefore, they protect your cells and help prevent disease. Cocoa Cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, such as flavanols. In addition to anti-inflammatory effects, cocoa polyphenols have a positive effect on gut microbes. Cocoa polyphenols enhance the growth of good gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, reduce the number of pathogenic ones, such as Clostridium perfringens, and enhance the body’s immune response. Cruciferous Vegetables Cruciferous vegetables, which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts, are rich in antioxidants, including various carotenoids (beta-carotene