Consumption of cruciferous vegetables and glucosinolates in a Spanish adult population.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the intake of glucosinolates and cruciferous vegetables among Spanish adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study.


METHODS
The Spanish cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).


METHODS
We analysed data from 40 684 men and women aged 35-64 years from the EPIC-Spain cohort. The usual diet was assessed by means of the dietary history method, and glucosinolate intake was calculated using a published food composition database.


RESULTS
The average intake of cruciferous vegetables was 11.3 g/day, accounting for about 5% of total vegetable consumption, whereas the daily intake of total glucosinolates was 6.5 mg, among which 35% were of indole type. The absolute intake of glucosinolates was in average higher in men than in women (6.8 vs 6.2 mg/day), whereas glucosinolate density per energy unit was higher in women's diet (3.4 vs 2.7 mg/4200 kJ). Northern regions consumed in average 36% more glucosinolates than Southern regions (7.3 vs 5.4 mg/day). There was a positive association of glucosinolate intake with body mass index, physical activity, educational level and an inverse relationship with alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to the pattern seen for total vegetable intake, our estimate of consumption of cruciferous vegetables, and hence of glucosinolates, is relatively low within Europe, which in turn is lower than in North America and several Asian populations.
Agudo
A
A
Unit of Epidemiology, IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain. a.agudo@iconcologia.net
Ibáñez
R
R
Amiano
P
P
Ardanaz
E
E
Barricarte
A
A
Berenguer
A
A
Dolores Chirlaque
M
M
Dorronsoro
M
M
Jakszyn
P
P
Larrañaga
N
N
Martinez
C
C
Navarro
C
C
Pera
G
G
Quirós
J R
JR
Sanchéz
M J
MJ
Tormo
M J
MJ
González
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013030:Spain; D014675:Vegetables
D005961:Glucosinolates