Dietary intakes and food sources of phytoestrogens in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) 24-hour dietary recall cohort

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Phytoestrogens are estradiol-like natural compounds found in plants that have been associated with protective effects against chronic diseases, including some cancers, cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to estimate the dietary intake of phytoestrogens, identify their food sources and their association with lifestyle factors in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Single 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from 36 037 individuals from 10 European countries, aged 35-74 years using a standardized computerized interview programe (EPIC-Soft). An ad hoc food composition database on phytoestrogens (isoflavones, lignans, coumestans, enterolignans and equol) was compiled using data from available databases, in order to obtain and describe phytoestrogen intakes and their food sources across 27 redefined EPIC centres. RESULTS: Mean total phytoestrogen intake was the highest in the UK health-conscious group (24.9 mg/day in men and 21.1 mg/day in women) whereas lowest in Greece (1.3 mg/day) in men and Spain-Granada (1.0 mg/day) in women. Northern European countries had higher intakes than southern countries. The main phytoestrogen contributors were isoflavones in both UK centres and lignans in the other EPIC cohorts. Age, body mass index, educational level, smoking status and physical activity were related to increased intakes of lignans, enterolignans and equol, but not to total phytoestrogen, isoflavone or coumestan intakes. In the UK cohorts, the major food sources of phytoestrogens were soy products. In the other EPIC cohorts the dietary sources were more distributed, among fruits, vegetables, soy products, cereal products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high variability in the dietary intake of total and phytoestrogen subclasses and their food sources across European regions.

Dietary flavonoid, lignan and antioxidant capacity and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition study

“…35 Our food composition database contains 1877 food items and composition data on lignans and the six flavonoid subclasses: anthocyanidins, flavanols (including flavan-3-ols monomers, proanthocyanidins and theaflavins), flavonols, flavones, flavanones and isoflavones. [22][23][24][25] Dietary NEAC intake was estimated using a food composition database on ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) data on foods. FRAP assay is an in vitro measure of the reducing antioxidant power, whereas TRAP assay evaluates the chain-breaking antioxidant capacity.…”

“…Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary intakes of flavonoids, lignans and NEAC on the risk of HCC within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, 21 a large prospective cohort with considerable variability in flavonoid, lignan and NEAC intakes among participants. [22][23][24][25][26] …”

An Overview of Global Flavonoid Intake and its Food Sources

“…The intake of flavonoids is normally <2mg/day in Westernized countries, as they mainly occur in soy products [48]. However, in the UK health conscious group of the EPIC study, including vegans and vegetarians, the mean intake rises to 18mg/day [48].…”

Plant Products for Innovative Biomaterials in Dentistry

“…Phytoestrogenic isoflavones (such as genistein and daidzein) (Figure 4) are also present in soya beans, particularly effective in reducing (i) the proliferation of certain cancer cells; (ii) the activity of some immunocompetent cells as well as (iii) of the bone-resorbing cells, the osteoclasts [75]; and (iv) inducing the differentiation of the osteoblasts [77]. Low incidence of breast/prostate cancer and osteoporosis in eastern populations has been indeed ascribed to the regular dietary intake of soya isoflavones [75][76][77]. Genistein and daidzein are found abundantly in soya as inactive glycosylated forms, genistin and daidzin (Figure 4), respectively, which can be readily converted into aglycones, the bioactive metabolites, by hydrolysis in body fluids such as human plasma [75].…”

“…In particular, it is the only plant food that contains all eight essential amino acids [76]. Phytoestrogenic isoflavones (such as genistein and daidzein) (Figure 4) are also present in soya beans, particularly effective in reducing (i) the proliferation of certain cancer cells; (ii) the activity of some immunocompetent cells as well as (iii) of the bone-resorbing cells, the osteoclasts [75]; and (iv) inducing the differentiation of the osteoblasts [77]. Low incidence of breast/prostate cancer and osteoporosis in eastern populations has been indeed ascribed to the regular dietary intake of soya isoflavones [75][76][77].…”