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.
Dept. of Nutrition and Health Science, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 11014, Taiwan.
Yu-Ju
YJ
Lin
Yi-Wen
YW
Chien
Shwu-Huey
SH
Yang
Hsing-Hsien
HH
Cheng
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