Iodine deficiency is still common in some European countries. In Denmark an iodine fortification programme was introduced in 1998 and a monitoring programme was established prior to iodization. This study reports the change in urinary iodine excretion caused by fortification and investigates determinants of iodine intake after fortification. Iodine excretion in casual urine samples was assessed in 4649 subjects in 1997–8 and in 3570 comparable subjects in 2004–5 in women 18–22, 25–30, 40–45 and 60–65 years of age and in men 60–65 years of age living in Aalborg (western part of Denmark) or Copenhagen (eastern part of Denmark). These areas had moderate and mild iodine deficiency, respectively, before iodine fortification. All subjects filled in a FFQ and a questionnaire regarding lifestyle factors. Iodine excretion, expressed as the estimated 24 h urinary iodine excretion and as urinary iodine concentration, increased significantly in all age and sex groups. However, the iodine intake was still below the recommended in the youngest age groups in both cities and in women 40–45 years of age living in Aalborg. Intake of milk and salt had strong significant direct associations with iodine excretion (P < 0·001). It is concluded that although the median iodine intake in the whole study population is at the recommended level, some groups still have an intake below the recommended. It is important to have a moderate milk intake to obtain a sufficient iodine intake in Denmark.

Adequate levels of vitamins and minerals are essential for optimal neural functioning. A high proportion of individuals, including children, suffer from deficiencies in one or more vitamins or minerals. This study investigated whether daily supplementation with vitamins/minerals could modulate cognitive performance and mood in healthy children. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups investigation, eighty-one healthy children aged from 8 to 14 years underwent laboratory assessments of their cognitive performance and mood pre-dose and at 1 and 3 h post-dose on the first and last days of 12 weeks' supplementation with a commercially available vitamins/mineral product (Pharmaton Kiddi™). Interim assessments were also completed at home after 4 and 8 weeks at 3 h post-dose. Each assessment comprised completion of a cognitive battery, delivered over the Internet, which included tasks assessing mood and the speed and accuracy of attention and aspects of memory (secondary, semantic and spatial working memory). The vitamin/mineral group performed more accurately on two attention tasks: ‘Arrows’ choice reaction time task at 4 and 8 weeks; ‘Arrow Flankers’ choice reaction time task at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. A single task outcome (Picture Recognition errors) evinced significant decrements at 12 weeks. Mood was not modulated in any interpretable manner. Whilst it is possible that the significant improvements following treatment were due to non-significant numerical differences in performance at baseline, these results would seem to suggest that vitamin/mineral supplementation has the potential to improve brain function in healthy children. This proposition requires further investigation.

n-3 and Trans fatty acids are considered to be the important modifiable factors of the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that lower Omega-3 fatty acids and/or higher trans fatty acids of erythrocytes (RBC) are associated with the risk of the metabolic syndrome. Forty-four patients with the metabolic syndrome, defined by three or more risk factors of the modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and eighty-eight age- and sex-matched controls with less than three risk factors were recruited for the study. The mean age was 54·5 (sem 0·8) years and 45 % of subjects were female. Trans fatty acids of RBC were higher in patients than controls (0·82 (sem 0·04) v. 0·73 (sem 0·03) %; P = 0·043), while their Omega-3 indexes, the sum of EPA and DHA in RBC, did not significantly differ (11·78 (sem 0·04) v. 12·39 (sem 0·02) %). Multivariable-adjusted regression analysis showed positive association between trans fatty acid and risk of the metabolic syndrome (OR 7·13; 95 % CI 1·53, 33·27; P = 0·013). Fasting serum insulin (7·9 (sem 0·7) v. 4·9 (sem 0·3) μU/ml; P < 0·001) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (18 (sem 3) v. 11 (sem 17) mg/l; P = 0·042) were also higher in patients than controls. There were significant positive relationships between trans fatty acids and waist circumference, and between trans fatty acids and BMI. The results suggested that RBC trans fatty acids might be a predictor of increased risk for the metabolic syndrome, but n-3 fatty acids were not in this population.

Recent epidemiological studies show the associations of serum antioxidant status with the metabolic syndrome. Oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and CVD. Actually, smoking is a potent oxidative stressor in man, but little is known about the interaction of serum carotenoids and the metabolic syndrome with smoking status. In this study, the associations of the serum carotenoids with the metabolic syndrome stratified by smoking habit were evaluated cross-sectionally. A total of 1073 subjects (357 male and 716 female) who had received health examinations in the town of Mikkabi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, participated in the study. Among total subjects, the OR for the metabolic syndrome in the highest tertile of serum β-carotene was 0·41 (95 % CI 0·18, 0·92) after adjusting confounders. In current smokers, significantly lower OR were observed in the middle (OR 0·10; 95 % CI 0·01, 0·72) and highest (OR 0·06; 95 % CI 0·01, 0·73) tertiles of serum β-carotene. Furthermore, lower OR were observed in accordance with tertiles of serum α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin in current smokers (P for trend 0·042 and 0·036, respectively). In contrast, in non-smokers, a significantly lower OR was observed in the highest tertile of serum β-carotene (OR 0·30; 95 % CI 0·10, 0·89) after multiple adjustment. Inverse associations of serum carotenoids with the metabolic syndrome were more evident among current smokers than non-smokers. These results support that antioxidant carotenoids may have a protective effect against development of the metabolic syndrome, especially in current smokers who are exposed to a potent oxidative stress.

n-3 PUFA supplementation helps in the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases and CVD. However, many supplementations reported so far are either a combination of n-3 PUFA or used large daily amounts of n-3 PUFA dosages. The present study investigated the influence of increasing dose intake of DHA on the fatty acid composition of phospholipids in neutrophils and on their capability to produce leukotrienes (LT) B4 and B5in vitro. Twelve healthy volunteers were supplemented with increasing daily doses of DHA (200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg, each dose in TAG containing DHA as the only PUFA and for a 2-week period). At the end of each supplementation period, neutrophil fatty acid composition, and LTB4 and LTB5 production were determined by GC and liquid chromatography–tandem MS, respectively. The DHA/arachidonic acid ratio increased in a dose-dependent manner with respect to the increasing doses of DHA supplementation and was significantly different from baseline after supplementation with either 400, 800 or 1600 mg DHA. The LTB5/LTB4 ratio was significantly increased compared to baseline after supplementation with 800 and 1600 mg DHA. LTB5/LTB4 and DHA/arachidonic acid ratios were correlated (r 0·531, P < 0·0001). The present data suggest that both changes in neutrophil lipid composition and LT production occurred with daily supplementation with 800 and 1600 mg DHA. The clinical benefits associated with these doses of DHA in inflammatory diseases remain to be investigated.

Nutritional rickets in Nigerian children has been effectively treated with Ca supplementation. High values of Ca absorption efficiency have been observed in untreated children, but whether Ca absorption efficiency changes during treatment with Ca is unknown. Our objective in conducting this study was to identify the effect of Ca therapy on Ca absorptive efficiency in children with primary Ca-deficient nutritional rickets. Twelve children with radiographically active rickets, 2 to 14 years of age (median 39 months) participated in the study. We assessed dietary Ca intake via dietary recalls, and measured biochemical markers of Ca and vitamin D homeostasis. Fractional Ca absorption was measured using a dual tracer stable isotope method, before and after 2 weeks of treatment with 15·0 mmol elemental Ca daily. Ten children had adequate urine collection for inclusion in the analysis. Usual dietary Ca intake was 4·2 (sd 1·0) mmol/d. The median Ca absorption prior to treatment was 72 % (range 52–97 %) and decreased significantly to 57 % (31–84 %) (P = 0·004) after 2 weeks of supplementation. We conclude that Nigerian children with rickets adapt to Ca supplementation with a small decrease in Ca absorptive capacity, but retain very high absorptive levels during supplementation. Overall Ca absorption efficiency was comparable with that identified in other populations with low Ca intakes. These data demonstrate that although absorptive capacity is regulated by supplementation, recovery from rickets likely occurs through efficient use of both dietary and supplemental Ca.

The healthy action of probiotics is not only due to their nutritional properties and their influence on the gastrointestinal environment, but also to their action on the immune system. The aim of the present study was to determine if 6 weeks of probiotic intake would be able to modulate the immune system in women who had recently delivered and were breast-feeding. The design consisted of a randomised, controlled and double-blind nutritional intervention study with parallel groups with a sample size of 104 women. The main variable is the T helper type 1/T helper type 2 (Th1/Th2) profile determined by measuring interferon-γ (Th1) and IL-4 (Th2) values in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. The modifications of cytokines were evaluated in maternal milk by cytometric bead array in a flow cytometer and ELISA at three stages of breast-feeding: colostrum, early milk (10 d) and mature milk (45 d). Additionally, the anthropometry and infectious and allergic episodes in the newborn were followed up throughout the first 6 months of life. After the consumption of milk fermented with Lactobacillus casei during the puerperium, we observed a non-significant increase in T and B lymphocytes and a significant increase in natural killer cells. A decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in maternal milk and fewer gastrointestinal disturbances were also observed in the breast-fed child of the mothers who consumed L. casei. The intake of milk fermented with L. casei during the lactation period modestly contributes to the modulation of the mother's immunological response after delivery and decreases the incidence of gastrointestinal episodes in the breast-fed child.

Dietary intake has been shown to influence acid–base balance in human subjects under tightly controlled conditions. However, the net effect of food groups on alkali/acid loading in population groups is unclear. The aims of the present study were to: (1) quantify estimates of daily net endogenous acid production (NEAP) (mEq/d) in a representative group of British elderly aged 65 years and older; (2) compare and characterise NEAP by specific nutrients and food groups likely to influence dietary acid loading; (3) determine whether geographical location influenced NEAP. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey dataset, consisting of a 4 d weighed record and anthropometric data, was used to estimate dietary acidity. Dietary under-reporters were excluded by analysing only subjects with energy intakes ≥ 1·2 × BMR. NEAP was estimated as the dietary potential renal acid load+organic acid excretion, the latter as a multiple of estimated body surface area. NEAP was lower in women compared with men (P < 0·001), and lower than values reported in a Swedish elderly cohort. Lower dietary acidity was significantly associated with higher consumption of fruit and potatoes and lower consumption of meat, bread and eggs (P < 0·02 to P < 0·001). Lower intakes of fish and cheese were associated with lower NEAP in men only (P < 0·01 to P < 0·001). There were regional differences for NEAP, with higher intakes in Scotland/Northern regions compared with Central/South-Western and London/South-Eastern regions (P = 0·01). These data provide an insight into the acid-generating potential of the diet in the British elderly population, which may have important consequences in this vulnerable group.

We measured the blood uptake of meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) from a mixture of macular pigments since its bioavailability in man has not been studied. Volunteers (ten men and nine women) were recruited and received one capsule of Lutein Plus®/d. Blood was taken at baseline, day 10 and day 22. One capsule contained 10·8 mg lutein, 1·2 mg (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin and 8·0 mg MZ. Plasma lutein and total zeaxanthin concentrations were quantified using isocratic liquid chromatography and the eluting xanthophyll fractions were collected and re-chromatographed on a chiral column to assess the proportion of MZ. Plasma concentrations per mg dose at day 22 suggested that (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin (0·088 μmol/l per mg) was about 50 % more actively retained by the body than lutein (0·056 μmol/l per mg) (although the difference was not significant in women) and 2·5–3·0 times more than MZ (0·026 μmol/l per mg). Concentrations of MZ at day 22 were 2·5 times higher in women than men. The plasma responses from lutein and (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin in the Lutein Plus® were lower than literature values for the pure substances. That is, their uptake into plasma appeared to be slightly depressed by the presence of MZ. Plasma concentrations of β-carotene were depressed by about 50 % at day 10 and about 35 % at day 22. In conclusion, the lower plasma response to MZ compared with (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin probably indicates that MZ is less well absorbed than (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin but work with pure MZ will be needed to confirm that the lower plasma response was not due to the large amount of lutein in the Lutein Plus®.

Dietary fish oil supplementation and regular physical activity can improve outcomes in patients with established CVD. Exercise has been shown to improve heart rate variability (HRV), a predictor of cardiac death, but whether fish oil benefits HRV is controversial. Obese adults at risk of future coronary disease have impaired HRV and may benefit from these interventions. We evaluated the effect of DHA-rich tuna fish oil supplementation with and without regular exercise on HRV in sedentary, overweight adults with risk factors for coronary disease. In a randomised, double-blind, parallel comparison, sixty-five volunteers consumed 6 g fish oil/d (DHA 1·56 g/d, EPA 0·36 g/d) or sunflower-seed oil (placebo) for 12 weeks. Half of each oil group also undertook regular moderate physical activity (3 d/week for 45 min, at 75 % of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HR)). Resting HR and the HR response to submaximal exercise were measured at weeks 0, 6 and 12. In forty-six subjects, HRV was also assessed by power spectrum analysis of 20 min electrocardiogram recordings taken supine at baseline and 12 weeks. Fish oil supplementation improved HRV by increasing high-frequency power, representing parasympathetic activity, compared with placebo (P = 0·01; oil ×  time interaction). It also reduced HR at rest and during submaximal exercise (P = 0·008; oil ×  time interaction). There were no significant fish oil ×  exercise interactions. Dietary supplementation with DHA-rich fish oil reduced HR and modulated HRV in keeping with an improved parasympathetic–sympathetic balance in overweight adults with risk factors for future coronary disease.

Inflammation influences the assessment of nutritional status. For example, inflammation reduces plasma retinol concentrations and vitamin A deficiency is overestimated. Conversely inflammation increases plasma ferritin concentrations and Fe deficiency is underestimated. Blood samples were obtained from 163 free-living HIV-1-infected adults, not on continuous medication, anti-retroviral drugs or micronutrients, not unwell and who had not reached WHO stage IV of HIV/AIDS. We used four markers of inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), α1-antichymotrypsin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate but mainly CRP and AGP were used to separate the subjects into four groups: ‘healthy’ where both CRP and AGP were normal; ‘incubation phase’ where CRP was elevated; ‘early convalescence’ where AGP and CRP were elevated and ‘late convalescence’ where only AGP was elevated. Correction factors were calculated to remove the influence of inflammation from each biomarker and group where inflammation was present and the data are shown before and after recalculation. The correction increased median plasma retinol concentrations of the whole group from 1·16 to 1·33 μmol/l, comparable with values (mean 1·29 μmol/l) in HIV-negative Kenyan women. Median ferritin concentrations fell by about 50 % in both sexes and the number of women with plasma ferritin concentrations ≤ 12 μg/l increased from eleven to twenty. The correction also increased plasma carotenoids and Hb but not α-tocopherol concentrations. We suggest that the method described to remove the influence of inflammation from nutritional biomarkers should be generally applicable in apparently healthy people and prevents discarding valuable data because of mild inflammation. The method does now need to be tested in other populations.

The effects of a 7 d high-fructose diet (HFrD) or control diet on lipid metabolism were studied in a group of six healthy lean males. Plasma NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, net lipid oxidation (indirect calorimetry) and exogenous lipid oxidation (13CO2 production) were monitored in basal conditions, after lipid loading (olive oil labelled with [13C]triolein) and during a standardised mental stress. Lactate clearance and the metabolic effects of an exogenous lactate infusion were also monitored. The HFrD lowered plasma concentrations of NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate as well as lipid oxidation in both basal and after lipid-loading conditions. In addition, the HFrD blunted the increase in plasma NEFA and exogenous lipid oxidation during mental stress. The HFrD also increased basal lactate concentrations by 31·8 %, and lactate production by 53·8 %, while lactate clearance remained unchanged. Lactate infusion lowered plasma NEFA with the control diet, and net lipid oxidation with both the HFrD and control diet. These results indicate that a 7 d HFrD markedly inhibits lipolysis and lipid oxidation. The HFrD also increases lactate production, and the ensuing increased lactate utilisation may contribute to suppress lipid oxidation.

The aim of the present study was to assess if a simple dietary quality index (SDQI) is a useful indicator for nutritional quality in the Danish diet. Data from the Danish National Dietary Survey 2000–2 for adults (n 3151; age 18–75 years) were used to construct an SDQI based on the intake of dietary fibre and saturated fat. The SDQI was used to rank the individuals into three subgroups: the 25 % closest in meeting the recommended intakes of saturated fat and dietary fibre (compliers), the 25 % furthest away (non-compliers) and the 50 % in between (intermediates). Significant differences in food and nutrient intake between these subgroups were identified by intakes of food groups and intakes of nutrients followed by non-parametric tests. Compared with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2004 and the Danish Dietary Guidelines 2005, compliers had a significantly better nutrient profile than intermediates and non-compliers, as the diet of compliers contained more whole-grain cereals, fruits, vegetables and fish, and more frequently low-fat dairy products, lean meats and boiled potatoes. The diet of all subgroups, especially non-compliers, had a high content of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods, for example, salty snacks, confectionery, and beverages, for example, soft drinks and alcohol. The SDQI is a simple and useful tool to characterise the diet quality of Danish adults.

The effect of different food matrices on the metabolism and excretion of polyphenols is uncertain. The objective of the study was to evaluate the possible effect of milk on the excretion of ( − )-epicatechin metabolites from cocoa powder after its ingestion with and without milk. Twenty-one volunteers received the following three test meals each in a randomised cross–over design with a 1-week interval between meals: (1) 250 ml whole milk as a control; (2) 40 g cocoa powder dissolved in 250 ml whole milk (CC–M); (3) 40 g cocoa powder dissolved in 250 ml water (CC–W). Urine was collected before consumption and during the 0–6, 6–12 and 12–24 h periods after consumption. ( − )-Epicatechin metabolite excretion was measured using liquid chromatography–MS. One ( − )-epicatechin glucuronide and three ( − )-epicatechin sulfates were detected in urine excreted after the intake of the two cocoa beverages (CC–M and CC–W). The results show that milk does not significantly affect the total amount of metabolites excreted in urine. However, differences in metabolite excretion profiles were observed; there were changes in the glucuronide and sulfate excretion rates, and the sulfation position between the period of excretion and the matrix. The matrix in which polyphenols are consumed can affect their metabolism and excretion, and this may affect their biological activity. Thus, more studies are needed to evaluate the effect of these different metabolite profiles on the body.

Metabolic body size of veal calves is still calculated by using the 0·75 exponent and no data were available to determine energy cost of physical activity during the whole fattening period. Data from two trials focusing on protein and/or energy requirements were used to determine the coefficient of metabolic body size and the energy cost of standing activity in male Prim'Holstein calves. Total heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry in ninety-five calves weighing 60–265 kg and was divided using a modelling approach between components related to the BMR, physical activity and feed intake. The calculation of the energy cost of standing activity was based on quantifying the physical activity by using force sensors on which the metabolism cage was placed and on the interruption of an IR beam allowing the determination of standing or lying position of the calf. The best exponent relating zero activity fasting heat production (FHP0) to metabolic body size was 0·85, which differed significantly from the traditionally used 0·75. Per additional kJ metabolizable energy (ME) intake, FHP0 increased by 0·28 kJ; at a conventional daily 650 kJ/kg body weight (BW)0·85 ME intake, daily FHP0 averaged 310 kJ/kg BW0·85. Calves stood up sixteen times per day; total duration of standing increased from 5·1 to 6·4 h per day as animals became older. The hourly energy cost of standing activity was proportional to BW0·65 and was estimated as 12·4 kJ/kg BW0·65. These estimates allow for a better estimation of the maintenance energy requirements in veal calves.

We examined the association of dietary carbohydrates, protein, fat (including fatty acid subtypes) and alcohol with the metabolic syndrome and its components, in a cross-sectional study of 1626 patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Multivariate nutrient density substitution models were used to examine the associations between macronutrients (assessed by 24 h dietary recall) and the metabolic syndrome. These models express the effects of ‘substituting’ one macronutrient for another without altering total energy intake. Increases in carbohydrates offset by isoenergetic decreases in either fat or protein were associated with a decrease in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (OR 0·87 (95 % CI 0·81, 0·93), P < 0·0001; OR 0·70 (95 % CI 0·61, 0·79), P < 0·0001, per 5 % energy intake respectively). Increased intake of dietary fat at the expense of dietary protein was also associated with a decreased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (OR 0·80 (95 % CI 0·70, 0·92), P = 0·002 per 5 % energy intake). There were no statistically significant differences between fatty acid subtypes (P>0·10). Consumption of up to one standard alcoholic drink per d was associated with a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome when compared with non-drinkers (OR 0·67 (95 % CI 0·50, 0·89), P = 0·006); however, these benefits were weakened with higher levels of alcohol intake (P = 0·10 for one to three drinks and P = 0·29 for >three drinks). Thus, a diet high in carbohydrates, low in fat and protein, with low-to-moderate alcohol intake, is associated with a reduced prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.

The objective was to study the evaluation of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) for Fe deficiency in women of child-bearing age. Primary screening was performed in 942 women ranging in child-bearing age. Serum ferritin (SF), Zn protoporphyrin (ZPP) and Hb were determined. Then the subjects were divided into four groups: normal, Fe store depletion (IDs), Fe-deficiency erythropoiesis and Fe-deficiency anaemia. sTfR was determined and sTfR/SF (sTfR/logSF and log(sTfR/SF)) was calculated. Changes of sTfR in women of different Fe status were observed. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate whether sTfR had proper diagnostic efficacy for functional Fe deficiency. The levels of sTfR increased significantly along with the aggravation of Fe deficiency. Increase of STfR/SF along with the aggravation of Fe deficiency was more significant than that of sTfR. STfR had a significant negative correlation with SF and Hb, while it had a significant positive correlation with ZPP. The ROC curve showed that the diagnostic effective rate of sTfR for Fe deficiency could reach 83 %. At this point, the sensitivity was 79 % and the specificity was 63 %. Log(sTfR/SF) could be considered to have the highest effective ratio in detecting IDs, since it reached 99 %. STfR and sTfR/SF could both reflect body Fe-deficiency status specifically. They could be used as reliable indicators for evaluating Fe status and diagnosing Fe deficiency in women of child-bearing age.

A low folate intake or a low folate status have been found to be associated with a higher frequency of depression in populations, but the existence and the direction of a causal link between folate intake or status and depression is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to seek the relation between the habitual folate intake in middle-aged men and women and the occurrence of depressive episodes. In a subsample of 1864 subjects (809 men and 1055 women) from the French SU.VI.MAX cohort, dietary habits have been measured at the beginning of the follow-up (six 24 h records) and declarations of antidepressant prescription, taken as markers of depressive episodes, have been recorded during the 8-year follow-up. No significant association was observed between folate intake and the risk of any depressive episode or of a single depressive episode during the follow-up, in both men and women. In contrast, the risk of experiencing recurrent depressive episodes (two or more) during the follow-up was strongly reduced in men with high folate intake (OR 0·25 (95 % CI 0·06, 0·98) for the highest tertile v. the lowest, P for trend 0·046). This association was not observed in women. These results suggest that a low folate intake may increase the risk of recurrent depression in men.

Resveratrol has been shown to have beneficial effects on diseases related to oxidant and/or inflammatory processes and extends the lifespan of simple organisms including rodents. The objective of the present study was to estimate the dietary intake of resveratrol and piceid (R&P) present in foods, and to identify the principal dietary sources of these compounds in the Spanish adult population. For this purpose, a food composition database (FCDB) of R&P in Spanish foods was compiled. The study included 40 685 subjects aged 35–64 years from northern and southern regions of Spain who were included in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Spain cohort. Usual food intake was assessed by personal interviews using a computerised version of a validated diet history method. An FCDB with 160 items was compiled. The estimated median and mean of R&P intake were 100 and 933 μg/d respectively. Approximately, 32 % of the population did not consume R&P. The most abundant of the four stilbenes studied was trans-piceid (53·6 %), followed by trans-resveratrol (20·9 %), cis-piceid (19·3 %) and cis-resveratrol (6·2 %). The most important source of R&P was wines (98·4 %) and grape and grape juices (1·6 %), whereas peanuts, pistachios and berries contributed to less than 0·01 %. For this reason the pattern of intake of R&P was similar to the wine pattern. This is the first time that R&P intake has been estimated in a Mediterranean country.

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption has become a health priority in many countries. Therefore, data investigating the influence of different types of fruits and vegetables on serum antioxidant levels would be useful. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and vitamin serum antioxidant concentrations. Specific fruit and vegetable groups are evaluated. A total of 3521 subjects (1487 men and 2034 women), aged 35–60 years, participating in the SU.VI.MAX cohort were included in this study. Blood samples of participants were analysed for β-carotene, vitamin C and α-tocopherol. Each subject had completed at least six dietary records during the first 2 years of the study. It was found that women had higher mean β-carotene and vitamin C serum concentrations than men, but lower α-tocopherol serum concentrations. Serum β-carotene and vitamin C concentrations were positively correlated with consumption of both fruit and vegetables, as well as with most of the fruit and vegetable groups tested. These relationships persisted after adjustment for confounding factors. Regression analysis showed a linear dose–response relationship. Root vegetables and citrus fruits were particularly associated with β-carotene serum status as were citrus fruits for vitamin C. Fruit and vegetable consumption was either not or weakly associated with α-tocopherol serum concentrations. These results describe antioxidant serum concentrations according to fruit and vegetable consumption in a large sample and support the findings of previous studies involving a more limited number of subjects.