The betaine content of New Zealand foods and estimated intake in the New Zealand diet

We have measured the glycine betaine, proline betaine, trigonelline and dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) content of 74 predominantly processed foods. Combining these data with a previous survey (predominantly commodity based) and using data from the New Zealand National Nutrition Survey, the betaine intake in the average New Zealand diet has been estimated. lly, glycine betaine was primarily found at high levels (⩾150 μg/g) in grain products (bread, pasta, flour), while proline betaine was found in fruit, especially oranges and orange juice and trigonelline was found in coffee. DMSP was only found in very small quantities (<10 μg/g) in a small number of foods. Different sources of individual foods showed variation in betaine content and some food processing, particularly canning, affected betaine content, with betaine found in both the liquid and solid portions of the canned products. The mean intake (±sem) of glycine betaine, proline betaine and trigonelline in the average New Zealand diet was estimated at 298±4, 47±2 and 119±3 mg/day, respectively. Generally, men had higher betaine intakes than females and intake decreased with age.