Manzi F, Flood V, Webb K, Mitchell P. The intake of carotenoids in an older Australian population: The Blue Mountains Eye Study.
Public Health Nutr 2002;
5:347-52. [PMID:
12020387 DOI:
10.1079/phn2002258]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the distribution of carotenoid intakes and important food sources of carotenoids in the diet of a representative population of older Australians.
DESIGN
Population-based cohort study.
SETTING
Two post-code areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
SUBJECTS
We studied 2012 (86%) of the 2334 participants aged 55+ years attending the 5-year follow-up of the cross-sectional Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), who completed a detailed semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The intakes for five carotenoids were studied: alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin combined, and lycopene.
RESULTS
The mean intake per day for each carotenoid was: alpha-carotene, 2675 microg; beta carotene equivalents, 7301 microg; beta-cryptoxanthin, 299 microg; lutein and zeaxanthin, 914 microg; lycopene, 3741 microg; retinol, 653 microg; total vitamin A, 1872 microg retinol equivalents. beta-Carotene equivalents contribute a substantial proportion of total vitamin A intake (65%) in this population. Women had slightly higher intakes than men for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene equivalents, and lutein and zeaxanthin (P < 0.05). Carrots and pumpkin were the main contributors to alpha-carotene and beta-carotene equivalent intakes. Orange juice, oranges and papaw were the main contributors to beta-cryptoxanthin intake. Broccoli, green beans and oranges contributed substantially to lutein and zeaxanthin intake. The main contributors to lycopene intake were tomatoes and bolognaise sauce.
CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin A intake in this population is high relative to the Australian Recommended Dietary Intake. Carotenoid intakes, particularly beta-carotene, make a substantial contribution, particularly from fruit and vegetables. This study provides important information as a basis for examining associations between dietary carotenoid intake and eye disease in the BMES.
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