Carotenoid intake in the German National Food Consumption Survey

In nutritional epidemiological studies high consumption of fruits and veget ables was shown to be an important preventive measure to reduce the risk of cancer, coronary heart disease, and cataracts. These effects cannot be exp lained completely and in a sufficient way by the intake of beta-carotene an d vitamin C. Other carotenoids differing in their antioxidative and biologi cal properties are also provided with fruits and vegetables in significant amounts. Because data for other carotenoids than beta-carotene are not cons idered in computerized German food database and food composition tables, re presentative carotenoid intake calculations for the German population are m issing. Therefore a carotenoid database, containing alpha- and beta-caroten e, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin values for different frui ts, vegetables, and other carotenoid-containing foods, was developed. With this database the carotenoid intake of the German population - stratified b y sex and age - was evaluated on the basis of the German National Food Cons umption Survey (NVS). The mean total carotenoid intake amounts to 5.33 mg/l day. The average intake lutein was 1.91 mg/day, beta-carotene intake amount s to 1.81 mg/day, lycopene intake was 1.28 mg/lday, alpha-carotene intake w as 0.29 mg/day, and cryptoxanthin intake was 0.05 mg/day. Tomatoes and toma to products provide most of the lycopene. Green salads and vegetables are t he most important contributors of lutein in Germany. Zeaxanthin is mainly c onsumed with maize but also with spinach and other vegetables like cabbage; alpha- and beta-carotene are mainly consumed with carrots. Peppers, orange s, and orange-juice are the most important cryptoxanthin sources.