A comparison of CLA intake and source between female and male Italian students.

In the last two decades CLA isomers were recognised as healthy factors and a daily intake of 3g was considered beneficial. Thus the CLA intake in a cohort of healthy students in Italy was investigated and the database on CLA content in foods was completed with data on confectionaries. To investigate the dietary CLA intake, a three-days food questionnaire was administered to a cohort of 40 healthy students ranging from 19 to 25 years old. Data from the food diaries were combined with the database on CLA content in foods. In our cohort the calculated average daily CLA intake was 130.8 mg overall: males daily consumed 164.86 mg of CLA, while females 96.65 mg. Cheese accounted for more than 62 % of CLA intake (P<0.05). Milk is the second food for contribution to CLA intake (16.25 mg/day; P<0.05), while yoghurt, meat and confectionery showed a minor contribution (8.17, 5.15, and 4.91 mg/day, respectively; P<0.05). CLA intake in a cohort of University Italian students was lower than value proposed as biologically relevant (3g/day). Dairy foods were the most relevant sources of CLA in both sexes. These data confirmed that, in order to improve CLA intake, the main focus should be on dairy foods whose CLA content can be increased by means of microbial starter with CLA producing bacteria or a more widespread use of grazing for lactating animals.