Phyto-oestrogen database of foods and average intake in Finland

Abstract

Information on phyto-oestrogen intake in various populations has been scanty until now, primarily because data on the content of these compounds in foods were lacking. We report here on expansion of the Finnish National Food Composition Database (Fineli) with values for the plant lignans matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol and the isoflavones daidzein and genistein. The values, expressed as aglycones, were based on food analyses (mainly GC-MS) or imputed from analytical data for 180 foods for lignans and 160 foods for isoflavones; additionally, over 1000 values were derived from the recipe database of Fineli. Average intake of these phyto-oestrogens was calculated using food consumption data of the National Dietary Survey FINDIET 1997, which was carried out in a random sample of the adult population in five areas in Finland. The dietary data were collected by 24 h recall =2862). The mean lignan intake was 434 (standard deviation (SD) 1575) microg/d and the mean isoflavone intake was 788 (SD 673) microg/d. Women had a higher lignan density (microg lignans/MJ) in their diet than men (P<0.05). Men had a higher mean daily isoflavone intake, 902 (SD 368) microg, than women, 668 (SD 963) microg (P<0.05). The sources of lignans were many: seeds, cereals, fruit, berries and vegetables. The main sources of isoflavones appeared to be processed meat products/sausages containing soya as an ingredient, and legumes as such. The average intake of lignans and isoflavones in Finland seems to be low, but intake varies throughout the population.

Tools to evaluate estrogenic potency of dietary phytoestrogens:A consensus paper from the EU Thematic Network “Phytohealth” (QLKI-2002-2453)

“…The sources of isoflavones in the European diet are mainly soy flour, soy beans, and soy-derived ingredients in processed foods, e.g. in meat products and bread (Keinan-Boker et al, 2002;Valsta et al, 2003).…”

“…The major sources of lignans in Europe are cereals, coffee, tea, fruit, berries, vegetables, and also alcoholic beverages Milder et al, 2005a-b). One of the richest food source of lignans is linseed Milder et al, 2005b) and including linseed consumers in the intake calculations increases significantly the average intake values Valsta et al, 2003).…”

“…soy as such or soy protein as a source of isoflavones or linseed in different forms as a source of lignans. In addition, the reliable phytoestrogen values of foods consumed regularly or in large quantities are of major importance when intake estimates are produced Valsta et al, 2003). Therefore, food composition databases with local representative foods should be preferably used especially for national intake estimates.…”

“…genistein and daidzein) and lignans (e.g. matairesinol, and secoisolariciresinol) since their presence in diet and dietary exposure have been documented in different European countries (Keinan-Boker et al, 2002;van Erp-Baart et al, 2003;Valsta et al, 2003;Milder et al, 2004).…”

Oilseeds ameliorate metabolic parameters in male mice, while contained lignans inhibit 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation in vitro

“…Cereal brans, legumes and some seeds and vegetables are suggested to be the most important sources of lignans in the EU diets [8]. The average lignan intake in the Finnish population (food frequency questionnaires: n = 2,862) was estimated to be 434 lg/day (285 lg/day for men and 601 lg/day for women) [9]. In a Dutch study (food frequency questionnaires: n = 4,660), the average daily intake of lignans was calculated to be 1,241 lg/day [1].…”