Phytonutrient intakes in relation to European fruit and vegetable consumption patterns observed in different food surveys

Abstract

Fruit and vegetables make an important contribution to health, partly due to the composition of phytonutrients, such as carotenoids and polyphenols. The aim of the present study was to quantify the intake of fruit and vegetables across different European countries using food consumption data of increasing complexity: food balance sheets (FBS); the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive Database; individual food consumption data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). Across Europe, the average consumption of fruit and vegetables ranged from 192 to 824 g/d (FBS data). Based on EFSA data, nine out of fourteen countries consumed < 400 g/d (recommended by the WHO), although even in the highest-consuming countries such as Spain, 36 % did not reach the target intake. In the UK, the average consumption of fruit and vegetables was 310 g/d (NDNS data). Generally, phytonutrient intake increased in accordance with fruit and vegetable intake across all European countries with the exception of lycopene (from tomatoes), which appeared to be higher in some countries that consumed less fruit and vegetables. There were little differences in the average intake of flavanols, flavonols and lycopene in those who did or did not meet the 400 g/d recommendation in the UK. However, average intakes of carotenoid, flavanone, anthocyanidin and ellagic acid were higher in those who consumed >400 g/d of fruit and vegetables compared with those who did not. Overall, intakes of phytonutrients are highly variable, suggesting that while some individuals obtain healthful amounts, there may be others who do not gain all the potential benefits associated with phytonutrients in the diet.

Macromolecular antioxidants or non-extractable polyphenols in fruit and vegetables: Intake in four European countries

“…The strategy we adopted to select the individual samples in each case was to take the consumption data per individual item in decreasing order until at least 75% of total consumption was covered; calculations were based on edible fractions. Potato was not included in the vegetable group, due to its specific composition which is more closely related to that of cereals, as reported in previous studies (Tennant, Davidson, & Day, 2014).…”

Intake and Profile of Plant Polyphenols in the Diet of the Czech Population

“…This value is somewhat above the European mean value which was stated in 2012 using FAO FBS estimates (429 g/d), and above the results for the Czech Republic (and in other European countries) which are included in the same report of Tennant et al [2014]. It is desirable to note that the World Health Organization has recommended 600 g/d fruit and vegetables as an average consumption, i.e.…”

“…[ Vogiatzoglou et al, 2014b], (3) [Tresserra- Rimbau et al, 2013], (4) [Ovaskainen et al, 2008], (5) [Brat et al, 2006], (6) [ Tennant et al, 2014], (7) [Zujko et al, 2012], (8) [Perez-Jimenez et al, 2011], (9) , (10) [Bai et al, 2014], (11) [ Correa et al, 2015]. Nevertheless, molecular biological activity of polyphenols is diffi cult to be interpreted and elucidated.…”

Modificaciones en el nivel de anión superóxido en leche materna, según la ingesta de flavonoides y carotenoides

“…20,21 No obstante, otro reporte de amplio alcance geográfico encontró valores similares y elevada variabilidad entre los individuos. 22 Los flavonoides más consumidos fueron los flavonoles, flavanonas y flavanoles, seguidos de las flavonas e isoflavonas, en coincidencia con otros estudios. Respecto a los carotenoides, se observó mayor ingesta de los provitamínicos y menor de los no provitamínicos respecto de las recomendaciones dietéticas.…”

“…23 La biodisponibilidad de fitoquímicos en leche humana es resultado de la exposición alimentaria, los procesos de absorción y metabolismo, la transferencia desde el plasma a la leche y su estabilidad en la misma. 6,22 Dado el potencial redox de flavonoides y carotenoides y su presencia en la leche humana, se procedió a relacionar su ingesta con el nivel lácteo de anión superóxido, ya que existe evidencia variable acerca de la capacidad redox de la leche debido al uso de diferentes indicadores y condiciones. 2,24 En este trabajo se utilizó el anión superóxido como marcador de oxidación por ser precursor de otras especies reactivas oxidantes, y por su capacidad de responder a factores ambientales y nutricionales.…”