Dietary predictors of serum total carotene in low-income women living in Sao Paulo, South-East Brazil.

OBJECTIVE:
Dietary intake and nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins have been reported to protect against some cancers. The objective of the present study was to assess the correlations between serum levels of carotenoids (including beta-, alpha- and gamma-carotene), lycopene, retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and dietary intakes estimated by an FFQ, among low-income women in the Brazilian Investigation into Nutrition and Cervical Cancer Prevention (BRINCA) study.

DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study of data for 918 women aged 21-65 years participating in the BRINCA study in São Paulo city. Multiple linear regression models were used with serum nutrient levels as the dependent variable and dietary intake levels as the independent variable, adjusted for confounding factors. RESULTS: In energy-adjusted analyses, the intakes of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits (partial R2 = 4.8 %), total fruits and juices (partial R2 = 1.8 %), vegetables and fruits (partial R2 = 1.8 %), carrots (partial R2 = 1.4 %) and citrus fruits and juices only (partial R2 = 0.8 %) were positively correlated only with serum total carotene levels, after adjusting for serum total cholesterol concentration, age, hospital attended, smoking status, BMI and presence of cervical lesions. Multiple-adjusted serum levels of carotenoids were positively correlated with intake quartiles of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits and total fruits and juices independent of smoking status.

CONCLUSIONS:
The intake of specific fruits and vegetables was an independent predictor of serum total carotene levels in low-income women living in São Paulo.