Daily consumption of phenolics and total antioxidant capacity from fruit and vegetables in the American diet

Summary

This analysis quantified the daily intake of phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants from 34 commonly consumed fresh fruits and vegetables in the American diet. Oranges were the largest single contributor (117.1 mg GAE phenolics, 146.6 mg VCE antioxidants daily), followed by apples, with potatoes third despite lower concentration due to high consumption volume. The study estimates average American daily intake from fruit and vegetables at 450 mg GAE phenolics, 103 mg catechin equivalents flavonoids and 591 mg VCE antioxidants, highlighting that dietary impact depends on both nutrient concentration and consumption patterns.

Regional applicability

The findings reflect the American diet and may not directly transfer to United Kingdom consumption patterns, which differ in fruit and vegetable choices and consumption volumes. However, the methodological approach—combining nutrient composition with consumption data—is applicable to UK dietary assessment and nutrient profiling.

Key measures

Total phenolics (mg gallic acid equivalent per person per day), total flavonoids (mg catechin equivalents), total antioxidant capacity (mg vitamin C equivalents), daily consumption data (pounds per person per year)

Outcomes reported

The study estimated daily intake of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity from the 34 most commonly consumed fresh fruits and vegetables in the American diet, identifying oranges and apples as the largest contributors to phenolic and antioxidant intake despite their concentration per serving.

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