Increased fruit and vegetable consumption within the EU: potential health benefits

In this EU (DG XII) funded project, a Core human study was conducted in Ire land, Northern Ireland, Spain, France and The Netherlands. Oxidative and an tioxidant status, vegetable and fruit consumption, and carotenoid intake of volunteers from different countries was compared. Response to increased ca rotenoid intake was determined using a range of measurements. Attention was paid to whether the antioxidant capability of beta-carotene,lutein and lyc opene demonstrated in vitro, was apparent in relation to increased oxidatio n resistance of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL). Other (Complementary) studie s were undertaken and included determination of: protective effects of caro tenoid-rich foods against LDL and DNA oxidative damage; carotenoid absorbab ility; barriers to increased vegetable consumption; and carotenoid content of fruits and vegetables frequently consumed in Europe. Our results demonst rated that carotenoid supplementation did not increase LDL oxidation resist ance. However, increased consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetabl es did increase LDL oxidation resistance, and higher plasma concentration o f total and specific carotenoids (pre-supplementation) was associated with lower DNA damage and higher repair activity. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.