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Resistant starch intakes in the United States
Mary M Murphy1, Judith Spungen Douglass, Anne Birkett
1ENVIRON International Corp, Arlington, VA 22203, USA. mmurphy@environcorp.com
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|December 25, 2007
Summary
Americans consume an estimated 4.9 grams of resistant starch daily, with breads, cereals, pastas, and vegetables being primary sources. This data aids in understanding carbohydrate intake and its health implications.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Dietary Assessment
Background:
- Dietary fiber encompasses various undigested carbohydrates with diverse physiological effects.
- Resistant starch (RS) resists small intestine digestion and undergoes fermentation in the large intestine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate resistant starch (RS) consumption in the US population.
- To identify the main dietary sources of RS in the American diet.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive database of RS concentrations in foods was compiled from existing literature.
- RS intake was calculated by linking food data to 24-hour dietary recalls from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1999-2002).
- Analysis included 18,305 US individuals, with intake estimates generated using minimum, mean, and maximum RS concentrations.
Main Results:
- Estimated mean daily RS intake for Americans (≥1 year) was 4.9 grams (range: 2.8–7.9 g).
- Key contributors to RS intake included breads (21%), cooked cereals/pastas (19%), and vegetables (excluding legumes) (19%).
Conclusions:
- US population intake of resistant starch is estimated between 3–8 grams per person daily.
- These findings offer valuable reference data for researchers and nutrition professionals to better assess total intake of undigested carbohydrates.
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