Evaluation of Modern Approaches for the Assessment of Dietary Carotenoids as Markers for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
T. Henning1,2,3, P. Wagner2,4, E. Gedat2,4, B. Kochlik1,2,5, P. Kusch1,3, K. Sowoidnich6, M. Vastag6, J. Gleim6, M. Braune6, M. Maiwald6, B. Sumpf6, T. Grune1,2,3,5,7 and D. Weber1,2,5
Published in:
Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 7, art. 1665, doi:10.3390/nu15071665 (2023).
Abstract:
The assessment of dietary carotenoids via blood measurements has been widely used as a marker for fruit and vegetable consumption. In the present study, modern, non-invasive approaches to assess dietary carotenoids, such as skin measurements and an app-based short dietary record (ASDR), were compared with conventional methods such as plasma status and handwritten 3-day dietary records. In an 8-week observational study, 21 healthy participants aged 50–65 years recorded their daily consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables via a specially developed ASDR. Anthropometry, blood samplings and assessment of skin carotenoids via Raman and reflection spectroscopy were performed at baseline, after four weeks and at the end of the study. App-based intake data showed good correlations with plasma α-carotene (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001), β-carotene (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001), and total plasma carotenoids (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001); weak correlations with plasma lutein/zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin (both r = 0.34, p < 0.05); and no correlation with plasma lycopene. Skin measurements via reflection and Raman spectroscopy correlated well with total plasma carotenoids (r = 0.81 and 0.72, respectively; both p < 0.0001), α-carotene (r = 0.75–0.62, p < 0.0001), and β-carotene (r = 0.79–0.71, p < 0.0001); moderately with plasma lutein/zeaxanthin (both r = 0.51, p < 0.0001); weakly with plasma β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.40–0.31, p < 0.05); and showed no correlation with plasma lycopene. Skin measurements could provide a more convenient and noninvasive approach of estimating a person’s fruit and vegetable consumption compared to traditional methods, especially in studies that do not intend blood sampling. ASDR records might function as a suitable, convenient tool for dietary assessment in nutritional intervention studies.
1 Department of Molecular Toxicology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
2 Food4Future (F4F), c/o Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), 14979 Grossbeeren, Germany
3 Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
4 Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Wildau Technical University of Applied Sciences, 15745 Wildau, Germany
5 NutriAct Competence Cluster Nutrition Research Berlin-Potsdam, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
6 Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik, 12489 Berlin, Germany
7 Department of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Keywords:
carotenoids; vitamins; e-health; app; dietary record; blood; skin measurements; spectroscopy; Raman
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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