Changes in thiamin intake and blood levels in young, overweight/obese women following hypocaloric diets based on the increased relative consumption of cereals or vegetables

Abstract

To analyse the changes in thiamin intake and blood levels of young, overweight/obese women following slightly hypocaloric diets based on the increased relative consumption of foods whose intakes were most removed from the ideal: cereals and vegetables. The women were randomly assigned to one of two slightly hypocaloric diets: diet V, in which the consumption of vegetables was increased, or diet C, in which the consumption of cereals (especially breakfast cereals) was increased. The study subjects were 67 young women with a body mass index of 24-35 kg/m2. Dietetic, anthropometrics and biochemical data were collected at the start of the study and again at 2 and 6 weeks. The reduction in energy intake was similar in both groups. However, diet C subjects lost significantly more weight. Blood thiamin concentration was higher in group C women than in group V women at 2 and 6 weeks. Compared to initial values, group C subjects showed a higher blood thiamin level at 2 weeks. The highest blood thiamin levels seen in group C women may have been due to their greater thiamin intake, their higher thiamin dietetic density, and a higher thiamin/carbohydrates ratio at both week 2 and 6 of the intervention period. Increasing the relative consumption of breakfast cereals within the context of a slightly hypocaloric diet can help in weight control and improve thiamine intake and blood levels.