Dietary Intake of Plant Bioactives.

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Food Chemistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Plant-based diets are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, including polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, and glucosinolates.
• These compounds are associated with numerous health benefits, yet their intake is poorly understood.
• Existing data on plant bioactive intake is limited and often focuses on specific compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of dietary plant bioactive intake across diverse populations.
• To highlight the significant gaps in current knowledge regarding phytochemical consumption.
• To establish a foundation for future research on plant bioactives in human nutrition.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on dietary plant bioactive intake.
• Compilation and synthesis of data on various phytochemical groups, including (poly)phenols and carotenoids.
• Analysis of factors influencing plant bioactive consumption, such as diet, age, gender, and ethnicity.

Main Results:

• Significant variability exists in the intake of dietary plant bioactives among different populations.
• Intake levels are influenced by dietary patterns, age, sex/gender, ethnicity, and cultural practices.
• Data is most abundant for (poly)phenols and carotenoids, with less information on other bioactive molecules.

Conclusions:

• There is a considerable lack of comprehensive data on the intake of diverse plant bioactives globally.
• Understanding population-specific intake is crucial for assessing the health implications of plant-based diets.
• This review serves as a pioneering effort to consolidate knowledge and guide future research directions.