Estimated dietary isoflavone intake of Korean population based on NationalNutrition Survey

The dietary isoflavone intake of the Korean population was estimated based on data from the Korean National Nutrition Survey conducted in 1995, which included 3224 male and 3475 female subjects with a wide age range. Data on the isoflavone content of soybeans and their products were collected from a literature survey of Korean journals. This information was then screened b ased on the methodological validity, compared with values reported in inter national journals, and an average value adopted for each food. Thereafter, the total isoflavone intake per capita was estimated as 14.88 mg/d, which w as attributed to genistein (7.32 mg), daidzein (5.81 mg), and glycitein (1. 75 mg). Soybeans and three traditional soy foods (tofu, soybean paste, soyb ean sprouts) contributed to more than 94% of the total isoflavone intake of the Korean population. Slight differences in the isoflavone intake level a nd pattern were observed between the various residential areas. The rural a nd urban isoflavone intakes were estimated at 15.18 and 14.85 mg per capita , respectively. Rural residents were more dependent on soybeans than proces sed soy products for their isoflavone intake, while urban residents extract ed more isoflavones from tofu, compared to their rural counterparts. The to tal isoflavone intake reported in this study may be underestimated, as othe r products containing soyflour and soy protein were not accounted for. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.