Health food product and its uses

Abstract

A health food product containing a first component in the form of a discrete portion from a second component provides enhanced in vivo oxidative defense indices and prevents or attenuates exercise-induced in vivo oxidative stress as indicated by cellular and/or tissue modification. The first component includes an antioxidant mixture containing a blend of antioxidants selected from all-trans beta-carotene, a mixture of cis beta-carotenes, all-trans alpha-carotene, a mixture of cis alpha-carotenes, all-trans lycopene, a mixture of cis lycopenes, all-trans gamma-carotene, a mixture of cis gamma-carotenes, zeta-carotene, phytofluene, phytoene, vitamin C, vitamin E and curcumin. Internalization and integration of the above nutrients within a lipid containing core of the food product facilitates absorption of the fat-soluble components in the gastrointestinal tract following consumption, increases shelf-life and minimizes degradation of these labile compounds by minimizing exposure to heat, light and/or oxygen, and prevents disadvantageous yellow/orange coloration of the outer material of the food product.