Daily consumption of orange‐fleshed sweet potato increased plasma beta‐carotene concentration but did not increase total body vitamin A pool size in Bangladeshi women

Abstract

We assessed the effect of daily consumption of orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), with or without added fat, on the total body vitamin A (VA) pool size of Bangladeshi women with low initial VA status. Women (n=120) received for 60d either 1) 0 μg RAE/d as boiled white‐fleshed sweet potatoes (WFSP) and a corn oil (CO) capsule; or 600 μg RAE/d as either 2) boiled OFSP and a CO capsule, 3) fried OFSP and a CO capsule, or 4) boiled WFSP and a retinyl palmitate capsule, in addition to their home diets. Plasma concentrations of retinol and β‐carotene, and total body VA pool size were assessed before and after the 60‐d intervention. Initial and final mean plasma retinol concentrations were 0.75 ± 0.18 μmol/L and 0.84 ± 0.19 μmol/L, respectively (p=0.31); final means did not differ by group (p=0.11). Initial and final mean plasma β‐carotene concentrations were 0.10 ± 00 μmol/L and 0.18 ± 0.09 μmol/L, respectively (p<0.0001); final mean plasma β‐carotene concentrations were higher in groups that received OFSP (p<0.0001). Initial and final mean total body VA pool sizes were 17.2 ± 13.3 mg and 26.0 ± 20.1 mg, respectively (p=0.048; n=110). Final mean VA pool sizes did not differ by group (p≥0.12). The 60‐d OFSP intervention increased plasma β‐carotene concentrations but did not increase total body VA pool size. Supported by the HarvestPlus Program and the Int'l Atomic Energy Agency.