Abstract: An agent, food and beverage for improving a carotenoid balance in blood by increasing the blood level of normally non-present xanthophylls while inhibiting a decrease in the blood level of normally present carotenoids is provided. It is possible to increase the blood level of normally non-present xanthophylls having high antioxidant properties while inhibiting a decrease in the blood level of normally present carotenoids, by combining: (A) at least one member selected from among capsanthin, capsorubin, capsanthone, cucurbitaxanthin A, astaxanthin, mytiloxanthin, and fatty acid esters thereof; (B) at least one member selected from among zeaxanthin, ?-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and fatty acid esters thereof; (C) at least one member selected from among ?-carotene, ?-carotene, and lycopene; and (D) at least one member selected from among vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin C derivatives.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for improving red blood cell function which has both high antioxidant action and high ability to migrate into red blood cells, and can effectively protect red blood cells against oxidative stress. Cucurbitaxanthin A and/or a derivative thereof has an ability to migrate into red blood cells significantly higher than that of the other carotenoids reported to migrate into red blood cells, and can effectively protect red blood cells against oxidative stress, and thus, is effective as an agent for improving red blood cell function.