title: A systematic review of salicylates in foods: estimated daily intake of a Scottish population.
abstract: Several studies suggest that natural salicylates in plant-based foods may benefit health. However, large variation in published values of the salicylate content of foods means that relating dietary intakes to disease risk is problematical. Consequently, we have systematically reviewed the available literature using prescribed selection criteria. By combining these literature values with in-house analysis, we have constructed a food composition database describing median salicylate values for 27 different types of fruits, 21 vegetables, 28 herbs, spices and condiments, 2 soups and 11 beverages. Application of a validated food frequency questionnaire estimated median dietary intakes of 4.42 (range 2.90-6.27) and 3.16 (2.35-4.89) mg/day for Scottish males and females, respectively. Major dietary sources of salicylates were alcoholic beverages (22%), herbs and spices (17%), fruits (16%), non-alcoholic beverages including fruit juices (13%), tomato-based sauces (12%) and vegetables (9%). Application of the database to populations with differing dietary habits and disease risk profiles may provide further evidence for the role of dietary salicylates in the prevention of chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Greenburn Road, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thies
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kyle
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duthie
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012459:Salicylates / Q000032:analysis*; D012606:Scotland; D017365:Spices; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D012459:Salicylates