scholarly journals Influence of feeding different vegetables on plasma levels of carotenoids, folate and vitamin C. Effect of disruption of the vegetable matrix

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin H. van het Hof ◽  
Lilian B. M. Tijburg ◽  
K. Pietrzik ◽  
Jan A. Weststrate

Carotenoids, folate and vitamin C may contribute to the observed beneficial effects of increased vegetable intake. Currently, knowledge on the bioavailability of these compounds from vegetables is limited. We compared the efficacy of different vegetables, at the same level of intake (i.e. 300 g/d), in increasing plasma levels of carotenoids, folate and vitamin C and we investigated if disruption of the vegetable matrix would enhance the bioavailability of these micronutrients. In an incomplete block design, sixty-nine volunteers consumed a control meal without vegetables and three out of four vegetable meals (i.e. broccoli, green peas, whole leaf spinach, chopped spinach; containing between 1·7 and 24·6 mg β-carotene, 3·8 and 26 mg lutein, 0·22 and 0·60 mg folate and 26 and 93 mg vitamin C) or a meal supplemented with synthetic β-carotene (33·3 mg). Meals were consumed for 4 d and fasting blood samples were taken at the end of each period. Consumption of the spinach-supplemented meal did not affect plasma levels of β-carotene, although the β-carotene content was 10-fold those of broccoli and green peas, which induced significant increases in plasma β-carotene levels (28 (95 % CI 6·4, 55) % and 26 (95 % CI 2·6, 54) % respectively). The β-carotene-supplemented meal increased plasma concentrations of β-carotene effectively (517 (95 % CI 409, 648) %). All vegetable meals increased the plasma concentrations of lutein and vitamin C significantly. Broccoli and green peas were, when expressed per mg carotenoid consumed, also more effective sources of lutein than spinach. A significant increase in plasma folate concentration was found only after consumption of the spinach-supplemented meal, which provided the highest level of folate. Disruption of the spinach matrix increased the plasma responses to both lutein (14 (95 % CI 3·7, 25) %) and folate (10 (95 % CI 2·2, 18) %), whereas it did not affect the response to β-carotene. We conclude that the bioavailabilities of β-carotene and lutein vary substantially among different vegetables and that the bioavailabilities of lutein and folate from spinach can be improved by disruption of the vegetable matrix.

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Scaife ◽  
Geraldine McNeill ◽  
Doris M. Campbell ◽  
Sheelagh Martindale ◽  
Graham Devereux ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that maternal intake of antioxidant vitamins is associated with maternal and cord plasma levels at delivery. Women were recruited in early pregnancy in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and habitual diet during pregnancy was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire mailed at 34 weeks gestation. Blood samples were taken at recruitment (n1149) and maternal (n1149) and cord blood samples (n747) taken at delivery for analyses of vitamins A, C, E and β-carotene. Maternal plasma levels of vitamin E and β-carotene at delivery were significantly higher than levels in early pregnancy while levels of vitamins A and C were significantly lower. Positive correlations were observed for maternal levels of all the vitamins between early pregnancy and delivery. At delivery, maternal plasma concentrations of vitamins A, E and β-carotene were significantly higher than cord levels, while maternal levels of vitamin C were significantly lower. There were significant correlations between maternal and cord plasma concentrations for β-carotene and vitamin C but not for vitamins A or E. Maternal dietary intakes were positively correlated with maternal plasma levels of vitamins C, E and β-carotene in early pregnancy, with maternal plasma levels of β-carotene and vitamin C at delivery and with cord plasma levels of β-carotene and vitamin C. The results from the present study show that, in this population, maternal diet influences cord plasma levels of β-carotene and vitamin C, but not vitamins A and E.


HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 768-772
Author(s):  
Loutrina Staley ◽  
D.G. Mortley ◽  
C.K. Bonsi ◽  
A. Bovell-Benjamin ◽  
P. Gichuhi

Dietary intake of a variety of vegetables is very important for disease prevention and may help in the treatment of certain maladies. Experiments were conducted to evaluate yield and the content of antioxidants and phenolics of vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus), Celosia (Celosia argentea), Gboma (Solanum macrocarpon), and Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata) in response to poultry litter (PL) and a hydrolyzed fish fertilizer [Megabloom (MB)]. The experiments were conducted as a randomized complete block design with a four × three factorial treatment and four replications. The treatments were applied based on soil test recommendations in a single band 15 to 20 cm away from the plants 1 week after transplanting. Plants were harvested sequentially during the season as foliage and fruits became physiologically mature and once over at the end of the season. Species were analyzed for vitamin C content, total phenolics, and β-carotene content as well as antioxidant capacity. Organic amendments did not significantly influence biomass production, whereas species impacted fresh and dry biomass. Amaranth, Celosia, and Long Bean produced greater fresh and dry biomass than did Gboma. Vitamin C content was highest among Amaranth and Celosia plants receiving nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) compared with the other two treatments, whereas that of Gboma was higher among plants receiving MB.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana De Brito Maia Miamoto ◽  
Joelma Pereira ◽  
Suzan Kelly Vilela Bertolucci

TTaro root (Colocasia esculenta L.), a starch based plant widely grown for direct consumption, has been produced for more than 2000 years in regions with a tropical climate. In Brazil, it is a crop grown by small producers, using it for direct consumption. Some industries use the tubers for preparation of baby food; however, there is no industrial processing of taro root. It contains high caloric and protein value and has elements such as phosphorus and potassium and B-complex vitamins; moreover, in popular medicine, it has recognized medicinal properties of detoxification, purification, anti-beriberi properties, etc. The purpose of this study was to determine, characterize and obtain whole taro root flour and its subproducts (mucilage and residue from mucilage extraction) by means of physical-chemical analyses, with a view toward discovering its potential qualities as a functional food. The freeze-dried flours of taro root had considerable proximate composition with lipid values below wheat flour. Starch appeared in the three types of taro root flour at significant levels. The nutritional fiber content was on average 50% greater than the daily requirements of an individual. The minerals Zn, Fe and Mn appeared at levels able to meet significant percentages of the daily needs of children, as well as the vitamin C and β-carotene content. Phytochemical compounds, saponins, anthocyanins and polyphenols were present in all the flours. As a result, we concluded that these taro root flours constitute a viable alternative to production of bakery products based on their starch content. Whole taro root flours and their subproducts may be considered as having potential for functional foods due to their vitamin, mineral, protein and phytochemical content, in addition to their expressive quantity of fiber.Key-words: chemical composition of foods, taro root flour, nutritional fiber, vitamin C, β-carotene, phytochemicals.


2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan Thompson ◽  
Clyde Williams ◽  
Stephen J. McGregor ◽  
Ceri W. Nicholas ◽  
Frank McArdle ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation affects recovery from an unaccustomed bout of exercise. Sixteen male subjects were allocated to either a placebo (P; n = 8) or vitamin C group (VC; n = 8). The VC group consumed 200 mg of ascorbic acid twice a day, whereas the P group consumed identical capsules containing 200 mg of lactose. Subjects performed a prolonged (90-min) intermittent shuttle-running test 14 days after supplementation began. Post-exercise serum creatine kinase activities and myoglobin concentrations were unaffected by supplementation. However, vitamin C supplementation had modest beneficial effects on muscle soreness, muscle function, and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde. Furthermore, although plasma interleukin-6 increased immediately after exercise in both groups, values in the VC group were lower than in the P group 2 hours after exercise (p < .05). These results suggest that prolonged vitamin C supplementation has some modest beneficial effects on recovery from unaccustomed exercise.


1999 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarmo Virtamo

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, and smoking is the major risk factor, accounting for about 90% of the cases. Diet has also been implicated in the development of lung cancer, although the specific nutrients remain to be elucidated. Vitamins with antioxidant activity have received much attention. β-Carotene, the most efficient provitamin A, was found to be inversely related to the risk of lung cancer in many prospective epidemiological studies, especially in studies measuring serum concentrations of β-carotene. The findings from controlled trials, however, contradict the hypothesis that β-carotene could prevent lung cancer, but rather suggest increased risk of lung cancer with supplementary β-carotene. Data from both prospective studies and a controlled trial suggest no role for vitamin E in lung carcinogenesis. Some prospective epidemiological studies suggest an inverse relationship between dietary vitamin C and the risk of lung cancer, but due to the high correlation between dietary vitamin C and vegetable and fruit intake the independent role of dietary vitamin C is difficult to estimate. Studies using prediagnostic plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid do not support the involvement of vitamin C in lung carcinogenesis, and no controlled trials of vitamin C on lung cancer have been published. Thus, supplementation with antioxidant vitamins cannot be recommended for the prevention of lung cancer. Non-smoking is the most important target in the prevention of lung cancer. High i ntakes of vegetables and fruits may provide additional protection and are unlikely to be harmful.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Lackner ◽  
Nathalie Meier-Allard ◽  
Sabrina Mörkl ◽  
Wolfram Müller ◽  
Alfred Fürhapter-Rieger ◽  
...  

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) can co-occur with hypercarotenemia, a clinical condition characterized by elevated β-carotene in plasma and skin tissue. Carotenoids have known anti-obesogenic effects in adipocyte biology. Thus, carotenoids may potentially play a retarding role in weight gain during the recovery of AN patients. This study evaluated the plasma carotenoid profile and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in a cohort of AN patients and normal weight (NW) controls.Methods: Plasma concentrations of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene were determined by HPLC analysis. SAT thicknesses were measured by a highly accurate and reliable ultrasound technique. Information on dietary intakes were collected by repeated 24-h recalls.Results: Sixty-two females (AN: n = 18, NW: n = 44) were included. The concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin (p = 0.045) and lycopene (p = 0.004) were significantly lower in AN patients. β-carotene levels were higher in AN patients (n.s.) and α-carotene did not differ significantly. SAT thickness was significantly lower in AN patients compared to controls (p &lt; 0.001). β-carotene was significantly negative (rs = −0.471) and lycopene significantly positive (rs = 0.366) correlated with SAT. The correlation of β-carotene and SAT was even higher in the AN group alone (rs = −0.742). Also, β- cryptoxanthin and the sum of provitamin A carotenoids were correlated to SAT (rs = −0.647 and rs = −0.746, respectively) in AN patients. Fruits and vegetable intake did not differ significantly between AN and NW but adjusted for SAT, AN patients consumed relatively higher amounts (p = 0.006).Conclusion: Higher plasma β-carotene concentrations were associated with reduced SAT levels, most probably due to a reduced ability of the remaining adipose tissue to store carotenoids. Thus, the antiobesity effects of carotenoids might impact the treatment success of undernutrition and AN. A systemic carotenoid overload may contribute to changes in adipogenesis and metabolic capacities for energy storage. Therefore, high plasma β-carotene may be a marker of delay in weight recovery in AN patients. Interventional studies should consider including carotenoid-status in AN treatment.


Author(s):  
Anton Uher ◽  
Miroslav Šlosár ◽  
Tomáš Lošák ◽  
Jaroslav Hlušek

The aim of this work is to determine the impact of differentiated nutrition, using different rates of nitrogen and sulphur, on the level of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E1 (α-tocopherol), vitamin C and β-carotene in the broccoli rosette. The experimental broccoli variety was Tiburon F1. It is a strong medium-late variety with a vegetation period of 82 days. In the 3-year field trial we observed the effects of different rates of nitrogen and sulphur on the amount of antioxidant compounds in broccoli. The experiment consisted of four fertilisation treatments: 1) unfertilised control, 2) fertilised with 200 kg N.ha−1, 3) also fertilized with 200 kg N.ha−1 and supplemented with 50 kg S.ha−1, 4) 200 kg.ha−1 and 60 kg S.ha−1 was applied. To determine the amount of β-carotene and vitamin E1, the slightly modified method of Olives Barb et al. (2006) was used. The vitamin C content was determined by titration. Nitrogen nutrition has a significant impact not only on the amount of harvested broccoli, but also on the content of β-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E1. The average content of β-carotene for the entire experimental period ranged from 24.84 mg.kg−1 to 30.13 mg.kg−1 of fresh mass. The content of β-carotene in broccoli rosettes increased as per the following order of treatments: control > N:S (200:50 kg.ha−1) > N:S (200:60 kg.ha−1) > N (kg.ha−1). The β-carotene content increased significantly only in treatment 2 (30.13 mg.kg−1) as compared to all the other treatments. The level of vitamin C revealed the significant effect of fertilisation in all the treatments (567.9–614.2 mg.kg−1) in contrast to the control variant (528.4 mg.kg−1). What is more, in treatment 4 the content of vitamin C increased significantly in contrast to fertilised treatments 2 and 3. The average content of vitamin E1 ranged from 4.33 mg.kg−1 to 4.88 mg.kg−1 of fresh mass. There were no significant differences among the untreated control and fertilised treatments 2 and 3. The only significant decrease in the content of vitamin E1 was detected in treatment 4 as against the unfertilised treatment 1.


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