The power of the marigold

Zeaxanthin is a secondary plant substance from the carotenoid group and is found in high concentrations in marigolds (Calendula), among other plants. In nature, this pigment has a protective function, shielding plants from harmful UV radiation and oxidative stress—a property that is also reflected in human biological systems. Its accumulation in the macula of the retina, where it filters certain short-wave light components and is integrated into membrane structures, has been particularly well studied.

At the cellular level Zeaxanthin the focus of studies investigating the interactions between nutrition and cell biology is on its influence on signaling cascades, enzyme activities, and metabolic pathways, which are closely linked to oxidative stress and the stability of cellular structures. As part of the group of secondary plant compounds, it fulfills a protective function against oxidative influences in nature.(García-Pérez et al., 2025)Furthermore, numerous human studies suggest that selected micronutrients can reduce oxidative stress in the body.(Dai et al., 2022).

In the context of longevity, Zeaxanthin increasingly, carotenoids are becoming the focus of research. Oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation are considered key drivers of cellular aging: they promote the accumulation of DNA damage, impair telomere biology, and encourage cells to enter cellular senescence—a state in which cells no longer divide but continue to emit pro-inflammatory signals. Studies on carotenoids such as zeaxanthin suggest that these substances can modulate oxidative and inflammatory stress, thereby influencing processes associated with healthy cell function, delayed senescence, and the protection of sensitive tissues. Hormetic effects are also being discussed: mild stimuli that activate the body's own protective and repair mechanisms, thus promoting metabolic adaptability (Fiore et al., 2025). Additionally, carotenoids such as...Zeaxanthin in the literature linked to mechanisms that regulate inflammatory signaling pathways and thus can potentially contribute to protection against “inflammaging” – i.e., age-associated, chronic low-grade inflammatory processes.(Rudrapal et al., 2022).