What does lutein mean?
Lutein is a yellow-orange pigment belonging to the xanthophyll group of carotenoids. Plants synthesize it primarily in their leaves, where it helps absorb blue light and contributes to the characteristic colour of green vegetation. Lutein also occurs in foods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, citrus fruits, and egg yolks. In the human body, it is concentrated in the macula and retina, where it forms part of the eye's protective pigment and may help maintain visual function and protect cells from oxidative damage. As a nutrient, lutein is frequently discussed alongside zeaxanthin because the two pigments occur together in foods and are closely associated with macular health. The term is used in nutrition, biological science, ophthalmology, and the food industry, generally as an uncountable mass noun, although the plural luteins occurs in more technical writing.
nounA yellow-orange xanthophyll pigment found in many plants, vegetables, egg yolks, and some animal tissues. It occurs in the leaves of green plants and is one of the pigments associated with macular health in the human eye.
- A yellow-orange carotenoid pigment produced by plants and present in green leaves, many fruits and vegetables, egg yolks, and certain animal tissues.
- A pigment concentrated in the macula and retina of the human eye, where it contributes to the eye's colour sensitivity and antioxidant defences.
"Spinach and egg yolks are both useful dietary sources of lutein."
"Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens contain substantial amounts of lutein."
"Clinicians may recommend a diet rich in lutein to help maintain eye health as people age."
The plural is uncommon. General and nutritional writing normally treats lutein as an uncountable mass noun.
"Researchers measured the concentrations of luteins in several varieties of leafy vegetables."
The brilliant yellow of egg yolks comes partly from lutein, the same eye-associated pigment found abundantly in leafy green vegetables.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lutein come from?
Lutein was formed in the 19th century from the Latin adjective luteus, meaning “yellow,” together with the chemical suffix -in. The name reflects the pigment's characteristic yellow-orange colour. It belongs to a wider set of related English words derived from the same Latin root, including luteal and luteous.
How lutein is actually used
In general and nutritional contexts, lutein is usually treated as a mass noun. The plural is uncommon, though luteins may be used scientifically when referring to individual molecules or related carotenoid compounds.
Easily confused with lutein
Lutein is a xanthophyll carotenoid, whereas luteolin is a flavonoid compound found in plants.