Self-Report of Fruit and Vegetable Intake that Meets the 5 A Day Recommendation Is Associated with Reduced Levels of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Increased Levels of Antioxidant Defense in Premenopausal Women

Abstract

Background Oxidative stress has been associated with a variety of chronic diseases and reproductive disorders. Fruits and vegetables may contribute to antioxidant vitamin and micronutrient levels and reduce oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the effect of meeting the 5 A Day recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption on biomarkers of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense. Design In this longitudinal study, healthy premenopausal women (n=258) were followed for ≤2 menstrual cycles with ≤16 oxidative stress measures timed to cycle phase. Main outcome measures Plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostane, 9-hydroxyoctadecadieneoic acid (9-HODE), and 13-hydroxyoctadecadieneoic acid (13-HODE), erythrocyte activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSHR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as blood micronutrient concentrations were measured. Dietary intake was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ, 1/cycle) and 24-hour recalls (≤4/cycle). Statistical analyses performed Fruit and vegetable servings were dichotomized based on the 5 A Day recommendation. Linear mixed models with repeated measures were used to analyze lipid peroxidation markers, antioxidant vitamins, and antioxidant enzymes by cycle phase and in association with usual fruit and vegetable intake. Results For both 24-hour recall (timed to cycle phase) and cycle-specific FFQ, meeting the 5 A Day recommendation was associated with decreased F2-isoprostanes (24-hour recall β= −0.10 (95% CI: −0.12, −0.07); FFQ β= −0.14 (95% CI: −0.18, −0.11)). GSHR was lower in association with typical 5A Day consumption by FFQ but not in the phase-specific analysis. Higher levels of ascorbic acid, lutein, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were observed with both 5 A Day measures. Conclusions Meeting the 5 A Day recommendation was associated with lower oxidative stress and improved antioxidant status in analyses of typical diet (FFQ) and in menstrual cycle phase-specific analyses using 24-hour recalls. Green salads were commonly eaten and increasing intake of salads may be a useful strategy to impact oxidation in reproductive aged women.

Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of COPD: a prospective cohort study of men

“…In particular, higher plasma lipid peroxidation has been associated with higher risk for progression in patients with COPD, while higher catalase and erythrocyte glutathione activities were associated with decreased risk of progression of this disease 29. Some studies, but not all,30 have found significant associations of high fruit and vegetable consumption with reduced levels of oxidative stress31 and inflammation parameters32 as well as with increased levels of antioxidant defence 31. It has been shown that intake of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, β-carotene, flavonoids and other antioxidants is inversely correlated not only with oxidative stress parameters (urinary 8-iso prostaglandin F2α and F2-isoprostane) but also with inflammatory biomarkers (such as C reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α metabolite) 32.…”

Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of bladder cancer

“…Fruits and vegetables are major dietary sources of various antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds, which might have potentially anticarcinogenic effects through inhibition of the endogenous formation of carcinogens, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation (Root et al, 2012;Rink et al, 2013). Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of folate, which has been associated with a reduction in the risk of bladder cancer (He and Shui, 2014).…”

Intake of Key Chronic Disease–Related Nutrients among Baby Boomers

“…14 Higher fruit, vegetable, and vitamin C intake is associated with less hypertension, better endothelial function, lower levels of oxidative stress, and reduced levels of chronic metabolic disease. 15,16 Although no single marker that includes vitamin C intake can totally reflect fruit intake, diets high in vitamin C are associated with the quality of the diet and decreased risk for several medical conditions, including obesity and heart failure. 17,18 The lower intake of vitamin C and vegetables in the baby boomer generation may represent a concerning pattern despite there being no difference in reported total fruit intake compared with the previous generation of middle-aged adults.…”