Antioxidant-rich foods and nutritional value in daily kindergarten menu: A randomized controlled evaluation executed in Slovenia

Little is known about Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of daily kindergarten menus. The objective of the present study was to determine whether, antioxidant-enriched kindergarten menu had, compared to a standard one, more optimal proximate composition, energy value and higher antioxidant capacity of free and bound dietary antioxidants. Antioxidant-enriched kindergarten meals, on average, contained significantly more vegetables, nuts, and whole grain foods (p < 0.05) and the average proximate composition and mineral content were more consistent with Dietary Reference Intake (DRIs). Additionally, in antioxidant-enriched vs standard daily meals, average TAC was 1369 mg vs 586 mg vitamin C equivalent (determined by 2 '-azinobis-[3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] radical scavenging capacity (ABTS) assay) and 1734 mg vs 810 mg vitamin C equivalent deter-mined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Our study shed light on free and bound antioxidants in daily kindergarten meals and highlighted that supplementing kindergarten meals with foods rich in antioxidants can significantly improve dietary intakes.