European journal of clinical nutrition
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To investigate the contribution of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet to plasma concentrations of beta-carotene. ⋯ Dietary TAC is an independent predictor of plasma beta-carotene, especially in moderate alcohol drinkers. This may explain, at least in part, the inverse relationship observed between plasma beta-carotene and risk of chronic diseases associated to high levels of oxidative stress (i.e., diabetes and CVD), as well as the failure of beta-carotene supplements alone in reducing such risk.