Estimated dietary polyphenol intake and major food sources of the Brazilian population

Abstract

Background: Epidemiologic studies have suggested an inverse association between polyphenol intake and the risk of chronic diseases. However, the lack of comprehensive data on population-level intakes, especially in Latin American countries, has limited research on this topic. Objective: We aimed to estimate total and individual polyphenols intakes and determine the major dietary contributors in a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Design: Data were obtained from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey, a cross-sectional survey which included data on individual food intake of 34,003 subjects aged 10 years and over collected using two 24-h dietary records. Polyphenol content of foods was identified using Phenol-Explorer database and Brazilian Food Composition Database. Total and individual polyphenol intake was calculated, as well as the intake distribution by socio-demographic factors. Results: The median and 25-75th percentile of polyphenol intake were 364.3 and 200.9-1008 mg/d. After energy-adjustment, the median and 25-75h percentile of polyphenol intake were 204 and 111.4-542.1 mg/1000 kcal/d. Non-alcoholic beverages and fruits were the major polyphenol suppliers, and coffee and orange juice the main individual food contributors to polyphenol intake. The individual compounds most consumed were isomers of chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid), naringenin and hesperetin. Conclusions: This study provides, for the first time, data on dietary intake of total and individual polyphenols by Brazilian population and illustrate the low quality of their diet. These results will facilitate the study associations between the polyphenol classes intake and health outcomes, and will also be useful for future dietary intake recommendations.

Invited Letter to Editor in response to: Estimated dietary polyphenol intake and major food sources

“…In comparison with available data, the present estimates of total polyphenols intake were lower than that previously reported for other populations, including Latin American countries (Mexico) (2) and small Brazilian samples (3,4) . As we pointed out in the 'Discussion' section, the intake of fruit and vegetable was very low, as well as the food variety in the Brazilian diet, which illustrates the low quality of their diet and the low polyphenol intake (1) .We would like to thank Tomoyuki Kawada for his comment, and we agree that large heterogeneity in intakes of polyphenols could be justified by ethnic differences. As we highlighted in the 'Discussion' section, the different dietary preferences and habits according to different populations, which are related to the food availability and local cultures, could be an explanation to the differences between polyphenol intake across populations (1) .…”

“…In comparison with available data, the present estimates of total polyphenols intake were lower than that previously reported for other populations, including Latin American countries (Mexico) (2) and small Brazilian samples (3,4) . As we pointed out in the 'Discussion' section, the intake of fruit and vegetable was very low, as well as the food variety in the Brazilian diet, which illustrates the low quality of their diet and the low polyphenol intake (1) .…”

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Our research group recently published an estimation of a dietary intake of total and individual polyphenols in a representative sample of the Brazilian general population aged 10 years or older (1) . In comparison with available data, the present estimates of total polyphenols intake were lower than that previously reported for other populations, including Latin American countries (Mexico) (2) and small Brazilian samples (3,4) .

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Estimated dietary polyphenol intake and major food sources

“…There is a variation for estimating polyphenol intakes, and an efficient procedure is indispensable for the estimation. Furthermore, food contributions to the different class of polyphenol intake have been reported (1)(2)(3)(4) , which might contribute to the efficacy of disease prevention. Anyway, estimated dietary polyphenol intake can be used for the risk assessment of chronic diseases.…”

“…the Brazilian population (1) . The median and 25-75th percentile of polyphenol intake were 364•3 and 200•9-1008 mg/d, and the median and 25-75th percentile of polyphenol intake were 204 and 111•4-542•1 mg/4184 kJ/d.…”