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Intake and food sources of nitrites and N-nitrosodimethylamine in Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Paula Jakszyn ,
Antonio Agudo ,
Antonio Berenguer ,
Raquel Ibáñez ,
Pilar Amiano ,
Guillem Pera ,
Eva Ardanaz ,
Aurelio Barricarte ,
María Dolores Chirlaque  and
Miren Dorronsoro
...Show all authors
Paula Jakszyn*
Affiliation:
Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO-IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Antonio Agudo
Affiliation:
Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO-IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Antonio Berenguer
Affiliation:
Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO-IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Raquel Ibáñez
Affiliation:
Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO-IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Pilar Amiano
Affiliation:
Dirección de Salud de Guipúzcoa, 20013 San Sebastián, Spain
Guillem Pera
Affiliation:
Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO-IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Eva Ardanaz
Affiliation:
Departamento de Salud de Navarra, 31003 Pamplona, Spain
Aurelio Barricarte
Affiliation:
Departamento de Salud de Navarra, 31003 Pamplona, Spain
María Dolores Chirlaque
Affiliation:
Consejería de Sanidad y Consumo, 3008 Murcia, Spain
Miren Dorronsoro
Affiliation:
Dirección de Salud de Guipúzcoa, 20013 San Sebastián, Spain
Nerea Larrañaga
Affiliation:
Dirección de Salud de Guipúzcoa, 20013 San Sebastián, Spain
Carmen Martinez
Affiliation:
Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, 18080 Granada, Spain
Carmen Navarro
Affiliation:
Consejería de Sanidad y Consumo, 3008 Murcia, Spain
José R Quirós
Affiliation:
Consejería de Sanidad y Servicios Sociales de Asturias, 33001 Oviedo, Spain
María José Sanchéz
Affiliation:
Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, 18080 Granada, Spain
María José Tormo
Affiliation:
Consejería de Sanidad y Consumo, 3008 Murcia, Spain
Carlos A González
Affiliation:
Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO-IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
*
*Corresponding author: Email paujak@iconcologia.catsalut.net
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Abstract

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Objective

To conduct a comprehensive assessment of dietary intakes of nitrites and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

Subjects and setting

A study was conducted within the Spanish cohort of the European Prospective Investigation in Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) to assess the intake and food sources of these compounds in Spanish adults. The study included 41 446 health volunteers, aged 29–69 years, from Northern and Southern regions. Usual food intake was estimated by in-person interviews using a computerised dietary questionnaire.

Results

The estimated geometric mean was 0.994 mg day−1 for nitrites and 0.114 μg day−1 for NDMA. For both compounds a positive trend in consumption with increasing energy intake was observed. Dietary NDMA was related to age and sex after energy adjustment, while nitrite consumption increased with higher intakes of vitamin C (P < 0.001). The food groups that contributed most to intakes were meat products, cereals, vegetables and fruits for nitrites, and processed meat, beer, cheese and broiled fish for NDMA. Current and past smokers, who had high levels of NDMA from tobacco exposure, were also identified as the highest consumers of dietary NDMA. Furthermore, smokers had low intakes of vitamin C (an inhibitor of endogenous nitrosation).

Conclusions

Intake levels of NDMA and nitrites in a Mediterranean cohort are currently relatively lower than those previously reported, although processed meat, beer and cured cheese still are the most important contributors to NDMA intake.

Keywords

NitritesNitrosaminesDietary intakeN-NitrosodimethylamineCancer risk
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 9 , Issue 6 , September 2006 , pp. 785 - 791
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

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