Bioactive Compounds Intake of the Brazilian Population According to Geographic Region

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Food Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Bioactive compound consumption varies significantly across different populations and geographic regions.
• Brazil's vast size leads to diverse food plant availability across its regions.
• Understanding regional dietary patterns is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the intake of bioactive compounds by geographic region in Brazil.
• To identify the primary food sources contributing to bioactive compound intake across regions.
• To analyze regional disparities in dietary intake of polyphenols and carotenoids.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Dietary Survey (2017-2018), a large-scale population-based study.
• Included individual food intake data from 46,164 participants aged 10 years and older.
• Analyzed consumption patterns of total polyphenols, polyphenol classes, and total carotenoids.

Main Results:

• Polyphenol intake was significantly higher in the South region compared to other Brazilian regions (p=0.0001).
• Total carotenoid intake was highest in the Midwest, followed by the Southeast region (p=0.0001).
• Tea was the primary source of polyphenols in the South; coffee was dominant in other regions. Açaí, caja juice, mango, and corn were key carotenoid sources in the North and Northeast.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive compound intake demonstrates significant regional variation within Brazil.
• Populations in the South, Midwest, and Southeast may consume diets richer in bioactive compounds.
• Exploring the potential of native food plants could enhance bioactive compound intake through marketable products.