Abstract
Antioxidant micronutrients, such as vitamins and carotenoids, exist in abundance in fruits and vegetables. It is known that they contribute to the body's defense against reactive oxygen species. Recent numerous epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that a high dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids or a high level of blood carotenoids results in lower risks of certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These epidemiologic studies have suggested that carotenoids possessing antioxidant action may have a protective effect against several lifestyle-related diseases. beta-Cryptoxanthin is a carotenoid pigment found especially in Japanese mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruit, which is mainly produced in Japan. Our nutritional epidemiologic survey, Mikkabi Study, utilized the data obtained in the health examination of inhabitants which had been performed in the town of Mikkabi in Shizuoka, Japan. In this survey, we measured serum beta-cryptoxanthin as a specific bio-marker to estimate the consumption of Japanese mandarin fruit. From the cross-sectional analyses in the Mikkabi Study, we found out the inverse associations of serum β-cryptoxanthin levels with the risks for atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, liver dysfunctions, metabolic syndrome, low bone mineral density, and oxidative stress. This review has outlined recent epidemiologic studies on the associations between serum beta-cryptoxanthin levels with the risks of several lifestyle-related diseases in our country and other countries.
