Reflection Spectroscopy-Assessed Skin Carotenoids Are Sensitive to Change in Carotenoid Intake in a 6-Week Randomized Controlled Feeding Trial in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample

Background: Reflection spectroscopy, utilized by the Veggie Meter, is a less-expensive, noninvasive method to quantify skin carotenoids and is a valid approximation of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. However, it is unknown to what degree Veggie Meter–assessed skin carotenoid score change is responsive to changes in carotenoid intake. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate Veggie Meter–assessed skin carotenoid score response in a 6-wk randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice to determine whether the Veggie Meter can be used to detect nutritionally relevant changes in carotenoid intake; and to compare skin and plasma carotenoid responses with the 6-wk trial. Methods: In this 6-wk trial, participants (n = 162) who self-identified as one of 4 US racial/ethnic groups (25% Black, 25% Asian, 27% non-Hispanic White, 23% Hispanic) were randomized to a control group, receiving negligible carotenoids (177 mL apple juice/d), moderate-dose group, receiving 4 mg total carotenoids/d (177 mL orange–carrot juice/d), or high-dose group, receiving 8 mg total carotenoids/d (355 mL orange–carrot juice/d). Skin carotenoid score and plasma total carotenoid concentrations (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin) were assessed at baseline, 3 wk, and 6 wk (n = 158 completed the trial). Repeated measures linear models were used to examine skin and plasma carotenoids over time and between groups. Results: At 6 wk, participants in the high-dose and moderate-dose groups had significantly higher mean skin carotenoid scores [414.0 (SD = 100.6) and 369.7 (SD = 100.3), respectively] compared with those in the control group [305.2 (100.5)]. In the high-dose group, there was a 42% change in skin carotenoids from baseline (mean = 290.4) to a 6-wk follow-up (increase of 123, 123/290 = 42.4%). There was a 61% change in the plasma carotenoids in the high-dose group. Conclusions: The Veggie Meter is sensitive to increases in daily carotenoid intake in diverse racial/ethnic groups over 6 wk. Clinical Trials Registry number: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as ID: NCT04056624. Study URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04056624