Effects of organic and conventional growth systems on the content of carotenoids in carrot roots, and on intake and plasma status of carotenoids in humans.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2011;
91:767-775. [PMID:
21213256 DOI:
10.1002/jsfa.4248]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The demand for organic food products has increased during the last decades due to their probable health effects, among others. A higher content of secondary metabolites such as carotenoids in organic food products has been claimed, though not documented, to contribute to increased health effects of organic foods. The aim was to study the impact of organic and conventional agricultural systems on the content of carotenoids in carrots and human diets. In addition, a human cross-over study was performed, measuring the plasma status of carotenoids in humans consuming diets made from crops from these agricultural systems.
RESULTS
The content of carotenoids in carrot roots and human diets was not significantly affected by the agricultural production system or year, despite differences in fertilisation strategy and levels. The plasma status of carotenoids increased significantly after consumption of the organic and conventional diets, but no systematic differences between the agricultural production systems were observed.
CONCLUSION
The expected higher content of presumed health-promoting carotenoids in organic food products was not documented in this study.
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