SERUM BETA-CAROTENE AND VITAMIN-C AS BIOMARKERS OF VEGETABLE AND FRUIT INTAKES IN A COMMUNITY-BASED SAMPLE OF FRENCH ADULTS

Relatively high intakes of vegetables and fruit and relatively low int akes of fat are associated with lower rates of heart disease and many types of cancer. Biomarkers for vegetable and fruit consumption are mo st useful when applicable across different ages, body weights, diets, and varying patterns of fat intake. This study examined two biomarkers , serum concentrations of beta-carotene and vitamin C, as a function o f anthropometric, dietary, and lifestyle factors in a community-based sample of French adults. The interview-based dietary-history method wa s used to assess dietary intakes of 361 males and 476 females aged 18- 94 y resident in the Val-de-Marne district southeast of Paris. Serum b eta-carotene was quantified by HPLC and vitamin C was measured by usin g an automated method. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentration s were positively associated with vegetable and fruit intakes and were negatively linked to the consumption of energy, alcohol, and fat. Mul tiple-regression analyses showed that serum beta-carotene concentratio n was predicted by fruit and vegetable intakes but was inversely assoc iated with body mass, energy and alcohol intakes, and tobacco use. Ser um vitamin C concentration was positively associated with fruit consum ption but was negatively associated with age, body mass, and tobacco u se. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations are useful biomar kers of vegetable and fruit consumption in the French diet. However, o ther dietary and lifestyle factors also have a significant effect on c irculating concentrations of these antioxidant micronutrients.