Ecological-level associations between highly processed food intakes and plasma phospholipid elaidic acid concentrations: results from a cross-sectional study within the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC)

Nutr Cancer. 2011 Nov;63(8):1235-50. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2011.617530. Epub 2011 Nov 1.

Abstract

Elaidic acid is the main unnatural trans fatty acid isomer occurring during partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils used as ingredients for the formulation of processed foods. The main objective is to assess associations between processed food intakes and plasma phospholipid elaidic acid concentrations within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. A cross-sectional study was used to determine fatty acid profiles in 3,003 subjects from 16 centers. Single 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDR) were collected using a standardized computerized interview program. Food intakes were computed according to their degree of processing (moderately/nonprocessed foods, processed staple foods, highly processed foods). Adjusted ecological and individual correlations were calculated between processed food intakes and plasma elaidic acid levels. At the population level, mean intakes of highly processed foods were strongly correlated with mean levels of plasma elaidic acid in men (P = 0.0016) and in women (P = 0.0012). At the individual level, these associations remained but at a much lower level in men (r = 0.08, P = 0.006) and in women (r = 0.09, P = 0.0001). The use of an averaged 24-HDR measure of highly processed food intakes is adequate for predicting mean levels of plasma elaidic acid among European populations.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / blood
  • Energy Intake*
  • Europe
  • Fast Foods*
  • Fatty Acids / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids / blood
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Food Handling / methods
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Oleic Acid / blood*
  • Oleic Acids
  • Phospholipids / blood*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Fatty Acids
  • Oleic Acids
  • Phospholipids
  • Oleic Acid
  • elaidic acid