A three-group, three-period, randomized crossover study was conducted to compare plasma carotenoid absorption after concomitant consumption of vegetables and different doses of fermented milk. Eighteen healthy males participated. The fermented milk included milk protein, lactobacilli metabolites, and vegetable fats. The concentrations of carotenoids in plasma triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions were determined from blood samples collected before and 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after

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... ption of the test foods, which comprised either: vegetables (235 g) , vegetables plus a low dose (7.5 g) of fermented milk, or vegetables plus a high dose (15 g) of fermented milk. The incremental area under the concentration-time curve (iAUC) for α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene in the plasma TRL fraction was significantly higher for consumption of vegetables plus either the low or high dose of fermented milk, in comparison with vegetables alone. The iAUC for lutein in the plasma fraction of whole blood was significantly higher for consumption of vegetables plus a high dose of fermented milk, in comparison with vegetables only. These results suggest that concomitant consumption of vegetables and fermented milk may enhance the absorption of vegetable-derived carotenoids, relative to consumption of vegetables alone.