Plasma β-carotene is not a suitable biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake in German subjects with a long-term high consumption of fruits and vegetables

Garcia, A.L. et al. (2010) Plasma β-carotene is not a suitable biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake in German subjects with a long-term high consumption of fruits and vegetables. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 56(1), pp. 23-30. (doi: 10.1159/000262295)

Abstract

Background/Objective: β-Carotene is often used as a marker for the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, but little is known about plasma β-carotene concentrations in subjects whose habitual (long-term) diets are characterized by different amounts of foods of plant origin. We compared dietary β-carotene intake and plasma concentrations in women on habitual diets differing in the consumed amounts of foods of plant origin. Methods: A comparison of dietary β-carotene intakes and plasma β-carotene concentrations in women adhering to an average Western diet (n = 172), wholesome nutrition (following preventive recommendations) (n = 238) or a raw food diet (n = 104). Results: Dietary β-carotene intake was 5.5, 9.3, 14.7 mg/day for women adhering to an average Western diet, wholesome nutrition and raw food diet, respectively (p < 0.001). Corresponding multivariate adjusted plasma β-carotene concentrations were 1.07, 1.65, and 1.16 µmol/l, respectively (p < 0.001). Comparable dietary β-carotene intake resulted in lower multivariate adjusted plasma β-carotene in women adhering to a raw food diet and average Western diet compared to those on wholesome nutrition (p < 0.001 for all intake groups up to 20 mg/day). The amount of fruit and vegetable intake did not predict plasma β-carotene levels in women consuming a raw food diet. Conclusions: Plasma β-carotene concentrations differed among the diet groups, with highest plasma levels in women adhering to wholesome nutrition. Plasma β-carotene concentrations may not reflect β-carotene intake and the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Garcia, Dr Ada
• Authors: Garcia, A.L., Mohan, R., Koebnick, C., Bub, A., Heuer, T., Strassner, C., Groeneveld, M.J., Katz, N., Elmadfa, I., Leitzmann, C., and Hoffmann, I.
• Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
• Journal Name: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
• Journal Abbr.: Ann. Nutr. Metab.
• ISSN: 0250-6807
• ISSN (Online): 1421-9697
• Published Online: 27 November 2009