Assessment of dietary carotenoid intake and food sources in the Brazilian population: Results from National Dietary Surveys 2008-2009 and 2017-2018

There is an inverse association between carotenoids intake and disease risk. However, the lack of population-level intakes difficult research on this topic. We aimed to assess the intake and major food sources of caroten-oids in Brazil, as well to characterize the intake changes according to demographic characteristics. Data from two cross-sectional population-based surveys were analyzed in the study (National Dietary Survey 2008-2009 and 2017-2018). Carotenoid content of foods was identified using data from obtained by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. The median (25th-75th percentiles) of energy-adjusted total carotenoid intake in 2017-2018 was 12.2 (6.0-22.6) mg/ 1000 kcal/ d, representing an increase of 3.7 mg/d from 2008 to 2009. The carotenoids most consumed were 8-carotene, lutein, and lycopene, which showed an increase in consumption in the period. The total carotenoid intake and the majority of classes were higher by females, whites, adults and elderly, and those living in urban areas (p < 0.0001). The main food sources of carotenoids intake presented some variations between 2008 and 2009 and 2017-2018, with greater contribution of salads, and decrease of pumpkin, kale, and orange contribution. Our results support further studies investigating temporal trends in carotenoids intake and disease risk, being useful for the establishment of adequate reference intake recommendations.