Assessment of dietary lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene intakes and sources in the Spanish survey of dietary intake (2009-2010)

We assessed the intake and major dietary sources of lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene (non-provitamin A carotenoids) in Spain using food consumption data from the Spanish National Dietary Intake Survey (2009-2010). Three-day diaries and one 24-h recall were used to collect dietary data and a software application that includes HPLC data was used. Average intake of those carotenoids was 4290.8 mu g/d (67.1% total carotenoid intake), mainly from vegetables (3414.0 mu g/d), followed by fruits (393.5 mu g/d), oils/fats (204.0 mu g/d) and eggs/egg products (170.0 mu g/d). Main sources of lutein and zeaxanthin were vegetables (62.9% total diet, 1235.2 mu g/person/d). Lycopene intake was 3055.6 mu g/d (71.2% of non-provitamin A carotenoids), mainly from tomato and by-products (86.3%) and watermelon. Red- and orange-colored fruits and vegetables were the major contributors of non-provitamin carotenoids (3219.0 mu g/person/d). Balanced diets should favor fruits and vegetables over other dietary sources (oils, eggs, processed foods) that contain components to be consumed with moderation.