Fruits and stir-fried vegetables increase plasma carotenoids in young adults.
We examined the plasma levels of carotenoids in young adults after a dietary intervention composed of increased intakes of fruits and stir-fried vegetables from a Taiwanese mixed diet. Thirty-four apparently healthy, non-smoking subjects who normally ingested less than two and a half servings of fruits and vegetables daily were selected for the study. Meals changed were lunch and dinner on weekdays for a period of 4 weeks. The test meal consisted of three servings of stir-fried vegetables and two servings of fresh fruits. Plasma carotenoid levels in subjects significantly increased from 19%-32% for beta-carotene, 15%-47% for lycopene and 59%-88% for beta-crytoxanthin (p < 0.05) from week 1 to 4. However, these concentrations of beta-carotene and lycopene significantly decreased after stopping the consumption of the test meals. This study reveals the importance of a continuous consumption of carotenoid rich foods in order to maintain high levels of plasma carotenoids for the potential prevention of chronic diseases in individuals.
Lin
Yu-Ju
YJ
Dept. of Nutrition and Health Science, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 11014, Taiwan.
Chien
Yi-Wen
YW
Yang
Shwu-Huey
SH
Cheng
Hsing-Hsien
HH
D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D014675:Vegetables; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D008055:Lipids; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene; D014975:Lutein