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 beta-cryptoxanthin; those in the Southern cluster (n=99) had significantly lower serum alpha-carotene; and those in the prudent (n=63) and juice (n=58) clusters had significantly higher serum alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin (P<0.05) relative to those in at least one other cluster (all P<0.05). The juice cluster also had higher serum alpha-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 alpha-tocopherol. This pattern contained the largest number of participants, and could contribute to the extensive health disparities seen in this region.