Serum Carotenoid and Tocopherol Concentrations Vary by Dietary Pattern among African Americans

Background: Intakes and biochemical concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols have been associated with chronic diseases. Objective: To describe dietary patterns in Jackson Heart Study participants and to determine if biochemical measurements of antioxidants differ across these. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data for 373 African-American men and women (age 35 to 80 years), participating in the Diet and Physical Activity Substudy of the Jackson Heart Study. Methods: Dietary intake was assessed with a region specific food frequency questionnaire. Patterns were defined by cluster analysis of food groups, as percent of energy intake. Results: Four dietary patterns were identified: fast food, Southern, prudent, and juice. Individuals in the fast-food pattern (n=153) had significantly lower serum concentrations of lutein plus zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin; those in the Southern cluster (n=99) had significantly lower serum α-carotene; and those in the prudent (n=63) and juice (n=58) clusters had significantly higher serum α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin (P<0.05) relative to those in at least one other cluster (all P<0.05). The juice cluster also had higher serum α-tocopherol concentrations relative to the fast-food cluster. Conclusions: Diets high in fast foods, snacks, soft drinks, and meat were associated with relatively low concentrations of carotenoids and α-tocopherol. This pattern contained the largest number of participants, and could contribute to the extensive health disparities seen in this region.