OBJECTIVE To study the intake of catechins in the Dutch population and to assess the relation between catechin intake and other dietary factors. Catechins, dietary components that belong to the flavonoid family, potentially protect against chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Catechins are the major components of tea, but they are present in many other plant foods as well. DESIGN Data were used from a nationwide dietary survey carried out in 1998 among a representative sample of 6200 Dutch men and women aged 1-97y. Dietary data were collected using a 2 day dietary record method. RESULTS The average daily catechin intake was 50 mg (s.d. 56 mg/day). Catechin intake increased with age, and the intake was higher in women (60 mg/day) than in men (40 mg/day). Tea was the main catechin source in all age groups, whereas chocolate was second in children, and apples and pears were second in adults and elderly. Catechin intake was lower in smokers than in non-smokers, and increased with socio-economic status. A high intake was associated with a high intake of fiber (r = 0.20), vitamin C (r = 0.17) and beta-carotene (r = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS Catechins are quantitatively important bioactive components of the daily diet, which should be taken into account when studying the relation between diet and chronic diseases. Catechin intake is only moderately associated with the intake of other nutrients, but much stronger with certain health behaviours such as smoking.

中文翻译：

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荷兰男性和女性的代表性样本中的儿茶素摄入量以及相关的饮食和生活方式因素。

目的研究荷兰人群中儿茶素的摄入量，并评估儿茶素的摄入量与其他饮食因素之间的关系。儿茶素是类黄酮家族的饮食成分，有可能预防慢性疾病，例如癌症和心血管疾病。儿茶素是茶的主要成分，但它们也存在于许多其他植物性食品中。设计数据来自1998年进行的全国饮食调查，对6200名年龄在1-97岁的荷兰男女进行了代表性抽样。使用2天饮食记录方法收集饮食数据。结果儿茶素的平均每日摄入量为50毫克（标准剂量为56毫克/天）。儿茶素的摄入量随年龄增长而增加，女性（60毫克/天）的摄入量高于男性（40毫克/天）。茶是所有年龄段儿童的主要儿茶素来源，巧克力在儿童中排名第二，苹果和梨在成年人和老年人中排名第二。吸烟者的儿茶素摄入量低于不吸烟者，并且随着社会经济地位的增加而增加。高摄入量与高摄入量的纤维（r = 0.20），维生素C（r = 0.17）和β-胡萝卜素（r = 0.10）相关。结论儿茶素是日常饮食中重要的生物活性成分，在研究饮食与慢性疾病之间的关系时应予以考虑。儿茶素的摄入仅与其他营养素的摄入适度相关，但在某些健康行为（如吸烟）中则要强得多。高摄入量与高摄入量的纤维（r = 0.20），维生素C（r = 0.17）和β-胡萝卜素（r = 0.10）相关。结论儿茶素是日常饮食中数量上重要的生物活性成分，在研究饮食与慢性疾病之间的关系时应予以考虑。儿茶素的摄入仅与其他营养素的摄入适度相关，但在某些健康行为（如吸烟）中则要强得多。高摄入量与高摄入量的纤维（r = 0.20），维生素C（r = 0.17）和β-胡萝卜素（r = 0.10）相关。结论儿茶素是日常饮食中数量上重要的生物活性成分，在研究饮食与慢性疾病之间的关系时应予以考虑。儿茶素的摄入仅与其他营养素的摄入适度相关，但在某些健康行为（如吸烟）中则要强得多。