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A European carotenoid database to assess carotenoid intakes and its use in a five-country comparative study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

M. E. O'Neill ,
Y. Carroll ,
B. Corridan ,
B. Olmedilla ,
F. Granado ,
I. Blanco ,
H. Van den Berg ,
I. Hininger ,
A.-M. Rousell  and
M. Chopra
...Show all authors
M. E. O'Neill
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet & Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
Y. Carroll
Affiliation:
Nutritional Sciences, Department of Food Science and Technology, University College, Cork, Republic of Ireland
B. Corridan
Affiliation:
Nutritional Sciences, Department of Food Science and Technology, University College, Cork, Republic of Ireland
B. Olmedilla
Affiliation:
Unidad de Vitaminas, Seccion de Nutricion, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, San Martin de Porres 4, 28035 Madrid, Spain
F. Granado
Affiliation:
Unidad de Vitaminas, Seccion de Nutricion, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, San Martin de Porres 4, 28035 Madrid, Spain
I. Blanco
Affiliation:
Unidad de Vitaminas, Seccion de Nutricion, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, San Martin de Porres 4, 28035 Madrid, Spain
H. Van den Berg
Affiliation:
TNO_CIVO Institute, PO Box 360 (Utrechsweg 48), 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands
I. Hininger
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Biochimie Micronutrients-Radicaux Libres, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Domaine de la Merci, 38700 La Tronche, France
A.-M. Rousell
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Biochimie Micronutrients-Radicaux Libres, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Domaine de la Merci, 38700 La Tronche, France
M. Chopra
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet & Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
S. Southon
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Research, Colney, Norwich, UK
D. I. Thurnham*
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet & Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Professor D. I. Thurnham, fax +44 2870 324965, email di.thurnham@ulst.ac.uk
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Abstract

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A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid database with information on α- and β-carotene, lutein, lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin was prepared and used to compare the carotenoid intakes in five European countries: UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, France and The Netherlands. Eighty, age- (25–45 years) and sex-matched volunteers were recruited in each of the five countries. A FFQ and carotenoid database was prepared of the most commonly consumed carotenoid rich foods in the participating countries and the information was used to calculate frequency and intake of carotenoid-rich foods. The median total carotenoid intake based on the sum of the five carotenoids, was significantly higher (P<0.05) in France (16.1 mg/day) and lower in Spain (9.5 mg/day,) than the other countries, where the average intake was approximately 14 mg/day. Comparison of dietary source of carotenoids showed that carrots were the major source of β-carotene in all countries except Spain where spinach was most important. Likewise, carrots were also the main source of α-carotene. Tomato or tomato products, were the major source of lycopene. Lutein was mainly obtained from peas in Republic of Ireland and the UK, however, spinach was found to be the major source in other countries. In all countries, β-cryptoxanthin was primarily obtained from citrus fruit. Comparing the data with that from specific European country studies suggests that the FFQ and carotenoid database described in the present paper can be used for comparative dietary intake studies within Europe. The results show that within Europe there are differences in the specific intake of some carotenoids which are related to different foods consumed by people in different countries.

Keywords

CarotenoidsFood frequency questionnaireDiet
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 85 , Issue 4 , April 2001 , pp. 499 - 507
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2001

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