RESEARCH PAPER Zinc absorption in Brazilian subjects fed a healthy meal M. A. Ribeiro,* C. Cominetti,† M. H. Kakazu,‡ J. E. S. Sarkis,‡ J. Dainty,§ T. E. Fox§ & S. M. F. Cozzolino¶ *Nutrition Nucleus, Academic Center of Vitoria, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil †Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Goi as, Goi^ ania, Brazil ‡Institute of Energetic and Nuclear Researches/National Commission of Nuclear Energy, IPEN/CNEN, Group of Chemical and Isotopic Characterization, S~ ao Paulo, Brazil §Department of Nutrition, Diet and Health, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Laboratory, Norwich, UK ¶Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of S~ ao Paulo, S~ ao Paulo, Brazil Keywords bioavailability, Brazil, isotope labelling, single meal, zinc. Correspondence C. Cominetti, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Goi as, Rua 227, Quadra 68, s/n, 74.605-080, Goi^ ania, GO, Brazil. Tel.: +55 0216232096270 Fax: +55 0216232096273 E-mail: ccominet@usp.br How to cite this article Ribeiro M.A., Cominetti C., Kakazu M.H., Sarkis J.E.S., Dainty J., Fox T.E. & Cozzolino S.M.F. (2013) Zinc absorption in Brazilian subjects fed a healthy meal. J Hum Nutr Diet. doi:10.1111/jhn.12119 Abstract Background: The high amounts of phytic acid present in diets from devel- oping countries are considered as important inhibitors of zinc (Zn) absorp- tion. The present study aimed to assess the fractional absorption of Zn from a meal containing common Brazilian foods using the stable isotope technique. Methods: Twelve men, aged 19–42 years, were fed a healthy experimental diet comprising lettuce, tomato, French fries, steak with onions, rice, beans, papaya, orange, pineapple, and passion fruit juice. Each subject received one intravenous dose of enriched 70 Zn, and the lunch was extrinsically labelled with enriched 67 Zn. Urinary 67 Zn and 70 Zn enrichments were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The labelled meal phytate : Zn molar ratio was very divergent with respect to chemically determined and calculated data. Subjects presented a normal Zn nutritional status before and after the study. The mean Zn absorption from the labelled meal was 30% (range 11–47%). Conclusions: According to the World Health Organization parameters, the results denote a moderate/high Zn bioavailability in the evaluated meal, with a variability in the absorption percentage that is similar to other stud- ies. The data show that a typical Brazilian meal, with an adequate energy amount and a balanced macronutrient distribution, presents a Zn bioavail- ability in accordance with the worldwide recommended standard. Introduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diets from developing countries are insufficient in energy and animal proteins but rich in plants, mainly edible grains and leguminous foods (WHO, 1996). The high amounts of phytic acid assumed to be a part of these diets are considered important inhibitors of zinc (Zn) absorption. Accordingly, the diets are expected to have poor Zn bioavailability. Rice and beans comprises a typi- cal Brazilian dish, and is consumed in all states. This is such an important combination for Brazilian people that the food pyramid was adapted to our population and comprises a unique group for leguminous food (Philippi et al., 1999). Data show that approximately one-third of the world population lives in countries classified as having a high risk for Zn deficiency and approximately half the world population lives in countries at moderate risk. Brazil can be classified into the mild risk category, with 20.3% of the population presenting a risk of inadequate Zn intake (Brown et al., 2001; Hotz & Brown, 2004; Gibson, 2006). The use of stable isotopes as biological markers is an important and well-established method for determining ª 2013 The Authors Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics ª 2013 The British Dietetic Association Ltd. 1 Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics