Global Ingredient Risk Index Botanical

Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin from Tagetes erecta (marigold)

Also known as: zeaxanthin, marigold zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, xanthophyll

25 მარ 2026

LOW RISK 2.0/10 How?

This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 2.0/10).

Known Safety Concerns

Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless
No established UL
Competes with other carotenoids at very high doses
Extremely safe at typical supplement doses

Contraindications

Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless
No established UL

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ -->

Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.

Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant co-located with lutein in the macular pigment. Used alongside lutein in AREDS2-based formulations for eye health. Excellent safety profile. Often combined with lutein (10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin). No established UL. Skin yellowing at very high doses.

Scientific Name: Zeaxanthin from Tagetes erecta (marigold)

Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.

SETI Score 48/100

Risk Level High risk

Scientific Confidence Low

Evidence Strength Limited

Key Benefit Botanical

Key Safety Concern Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless

Evidence Reviewed 10 PubMed studies

Scientific Confidence Low

Based on study quality, consistency, and recency

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

SETI Score 48/100

Risk Level High risk

Evidence Strength Limited

Main Benefit Botanical

Main Safety Concern Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless

Ingredient Zeaxanthin

Scientific name Zeaxanthin from Tagetes erecta (marigold)

Scientific Evidence Overview

10 studies reviewed
0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)

Safety Signals

Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless
No established UL
Competes with other carotenoids at very high doses
Extremely safe at typical supplement doses

Evidence Strength Limited

Final Scientific Assessment

The available scientific evidence for Zeaxanthin indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.

Ingredient Zeaxanthin

Evidence reviewed 10 peer-reviewed studies (last 10 years)

Scientific name Zeaxanthin from Tagetes erecta (marigold)

48 /100

Total SETI Score

High risk

Evidence quality	10/40
Evidence consistency	20/20
Safety signals	0/20
Study recency	9/10
Evidence transparency	9/10

Evidence Summary

10 studies reviewed
0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)

Evidence Policy

Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.

Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 17:34

Evidence Distribution

10 Other / unclassified

Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Consuming primarily egg dishes and eggs as ingredients among U.S. adolescents is associated with greater usual nutrient intakes compared with not consuming… ↗

PMID 41861914 ↗

Journal J Nutr

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41861914/

Morales-Juu00e1rez A et al.. Consuming primarily egg dishes and eggs as ingredients among U.S. adolescents is associated with greater usual nutrient intakes compared with not consuming eggs.. J Nutr. 2026. PMID:41861914.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
The Cu2082Hu2082-type zinc finger transcription factor PpZAT10 mediates abscisic acid-induced carotenoid accumulation in yellow peach. ↗

PMID 41833679 ↗

Journal Int J Biol Macromol

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41833679/

Xiao X et al.. The Cu2082Hu2082-type zinc finger transcription factor PpZAT10 mediates abscisic acid-induced carotenoid accumulation in yellow peach.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026. PMID:41833679.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Dietary Effects of Carotenoid-Biofortified Wheat on Feed Conversion and Tissue Antioxidant Concentrations in Broiler Chickens. ↗

PMID 41829130 ↗

Journal Foods

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41829130/

Szmek J et al.. Dietary Effects of Carotenoid-Biofortified Wheat on Feed Conversion and Tissue Antioxidant Concentrations in Broiler Chickens.. Foods. 2026. PMID:41829130.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Gene-Editing-Mediated Enhancement of Carotenoid Compound Accumulation in Common Wheat Grains. ↗

PMID 41829090 ↗

Journal Foods

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41829090/

Guo Y et al.. Gene-Editing-Mediated Enhancement of Carotenoid Compound Accumulation in Common Wheat Grains.. Foods. 2026. PMID:41829090.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
While end-of-production sole-source lighting at a moderate intensity increased nutrient, water-soluble vitamin, and carotenoid content, the anthocyanin concentration of red leaf lettuce… ↗

PMID 41799965 ↗

Journal Front Plant Sci

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41799965/

Brewer D et al.. While end-of-production sole-source lighting at a moderate intensity increased nutrient, water-soluble vitamin, and carotenoid content, the anthocyanin concentration of red leaf lettuce decreased.. Front Plant Sci. 2026. PMID:41799965.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Phytochrome-dependent photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of tomato under shaded conditions induced by red/far-red light ratios. ↗

PMID 41796709 ↗

Journal Plant Sci

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41796709/

Pashkovskiy P et al.. Phytochrome-dependent photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of tomato under shaded conditions induced by red/far-red light ratios.. Plant Sci. 2026. PMID:41796709.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Loss of qE Does Not Necessarily Lead to Photoinhibition: Sustained Non-Photochemical Quenching in the Absence of PsbS and Zeaxanthin. ↗

PMID 41796089 ↗

Journal Plant Cell Environ

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41796089/

Cainzos M et al.. Loss of qE Does Not Necessarily Lead to Photoinhibition: Sustained Non-Photochemical Quenching in the Absence of PsbS and Zeaxanthin.. Plant Cell Environ. 2026. PMID:41796089.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Photooxidation Dynamics of Lipofuscin in the Presence of Carotenoid-Binding Protein AstaP: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Pigment Composition Analysis. ↗

PMID 41777091 ↗

Journal J Phys Chem B

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41777091/

Arkhipchenko AA et al.. Photooxidation Dynamics of Lipofuscin in the Presence of Carotenoid-Binding Protein AstaP: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Pigment Composition Analysis.. J Phys Chem B. 2026. PMID:41777091.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Xanthophyll-Rich Extracts from Garcinia dulcis Pulp as Potential Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Functional Food. ↗

PMID 41754187 ↗

Journal Nutrients

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41754187/

Kholili U et al.. Xanthophyll-Rich Extracts from Garcinia dulcis Pulp as Potential Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Functional Food.. Nutrients. 2026. PMID:41754187.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Carrot. ↗

PMID 30000953 ↗

Year 2006

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30000953/

Carrot.. 2006. PMID:30000953.

Q × L × D × S × 10 = 2.0 / 10

The GIRI Score is the product of four independently computed evidence components, each normalised to 0–1, then scaled to 0–10. Every component is derived exclusively from peer-reviewed references and regulatory data — no editorial judgement is applied.

0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.

Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)

50%

Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies

Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.

Benefit

Risk

50%

Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals

Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.

50%

One or more monitoring-level safety signals active

Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.

0Q × 5L × 5D × 5S = 2.0 / 10

Final GIRI Score for Zeaxanthin. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.

Full methodology & data sources

The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.

References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

LOW RISK 2.0/10

Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.

LOW
0–3.0

MODERATE
3.0–5.5

HIGH
5.5–7.5

CRITICAL
7.5–10

2.0

The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.

What drove the Low classification for Zeaxanthin

A score of 2.0 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.

0 approved references.

Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).

Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.

No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.

No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).

How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?

The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:

Level	Score	Meaning
LOW	0.0 – 2.9	Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts.
MODERATE	3.0 – 5.4	Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups.
HIGH	5.5 – 7.4	Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended.
CRITICAL	7.5 – 10	Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision.

Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.

← Back to Ingredient Database

Zeaxanthin

Safety Profile

Known Safety Concerns

Contraindications

Interactions

Evidence and Scientific Findings

Ingredient Overview

Biological and Chemical Classification

Mechanism of Action

Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness

Pharmacokinetics

Recommended Dosage

SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

Evidence Summary

Evidence Policy

Evidence Distribution

Score Transparency

Risk Level Classification

What drove the Low classification for Zeaxanthin

ბოლო სიახლეები

500მლ პლასტმასის წყლის ბოთლები: ფარული საზოგადოებრივი ჯანმრთელობის რისკები

სკოლამდელი განათლება – მნიშვნელობა და გამოწვევები

ბავშვის უფლებები სკოლაში

პოპულარული ამბები

საუკეთესო ფილმები კულინარიის მოყვარულებისთვის

როგორ იყენებენ ახალგაზრდები ხელოვნურ ინტელექტს – სტუდენტების ხმა

კატეგორიები

ჩვენ შესახებ

გამოგვყევი სოციალურ ქსელებში