Lutein and zeaxanthin supplied by red/orange foods and fruits are more closely associated with macular pigment optical density than those from green vegetables in Spanish subjects

Lutein and zeaxanthin (L+Z) accumulate in the retina. Although vegetables are major contributors to their intake, a stronger association between fruits and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) has been reported. We hypothesized that L+Z intake from fruits would have a stronger association with L+Z status markers (MPOD, serum concentrations) than intake from vegetables or eggs, and that those associations would also differ according to plant foods color. One hundred eight subjects (57 men; age groups, 20-35 and 45-65 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study.

Source: Nutrition Research - September 13, 2016 Category: Nutrition Authors: Roc ío Estévez-Santiago, Begoña Olmedilla-Alonso, Beatriz Beltrán-de-Miguel, Carmen Cuadrado-Vives Tags: Original Research Source Type: research