Dietary total antioxidant capacity and polyphenols intake in Serbian university students

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between intake of polyphenols and other dietary antioxidants and the risk of numerous chronic diseases. Good eating habits established during the University years play an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate total dietary antioxidant capacity (TDAC) and polyphenols intake among students of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Serbia. Method / Design: A total of 223 students with the mean aged of 21,2 ± 2,7 participated in this study. Food intakes were measured with the 3-day dietary record method. A self-developed database was used to calculate TDAC and dietary total polyphenolic content. Results: Polyphenols intake and TDAC was 748 mg/person per day and 9,51 mmol Trolox equivalents/person per day, respectively. The food group that contributed the most to the TDAC was beverages (about 31,2%), followed by fruits and vegetables (28,2%), chocolates (21,1%) and cereals (15,2%). Fruits and vegetables provide a daily intake of 130-425 mg of polyphenols/person/diet. Conclusions: The mean daily intake of dietary polyphenols in the Serbian student population is 1g lower than recommended polyphenols daily intake. There is a need to promote the fruit and vegetable intake consumption as a source of polyphenols and dietary antioxidants among the student population.