Using feeding trials to establish skin carotenoid score as a biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake: a perspective

Abstract Background Plant based diets are well known to reduce risk for non-communicable diseases. Capturing accurate dietary intake has been elusive in the past. Current dietary assessment techniques are often reported or subjective, and therefore inaccurate and burdensome. Although technology-based methods are improving accuracy, they may be considered invasive by some and still require the user to avoid social desirability biases, especially when choosing foods to report. Biomarkers are objective indicators of dietary intake. This paper explores the use of feeding trials to validate skin carotenoid score as non-invasive point-of-care biomarker, which can be used to address disease prevention. Conclusions Evidence-based suggestions are provided for future, rigorous diet-intervention studies that are needed to confirm skin carotenoid score as a biomarker of health habits that are known to prevent disease.