The Determination of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus intake in the Cuban population through the first Total Diet Study

The Cuban population is currently facing an accelerated aging process, with a life expectancy of 77 years. This highlights the importance of maintaining a good diet in order to achieve a healthy old age. This research constitutes the first Total Diet Study conducted in Cuba. Food intake was determined through 24-hour memory surveys applied between October 2020 and March 2021 in the three geographic regions of Cuba (west, central and east) with a representative sample of the adult population (aged 18-91), and the sample size was calculated by statistical inference for 95% confidence (n = 450). A food frequency and amount questionnaire, along with reference photographs of different portions of food with their respective weight, was used to assess intake. The food was purchased at different points of sale throughout Cuba for three different samples. They were prepared using the most widely used cooking techniques in the country, which consisted of baking, steaming, grilling and boiling with deionized water. The groups were formed in correspondence with the percentage of each food obtained in the 24-hour recall survey. Each food group was made up in triplicate with different brands and places of origin, and their analysis was also carried out in triplicate. The determination of minerals was carried out by mineralizing the samples and using standard AOAC procedures through Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The daily intake of Ca (687.38 mg/day), Mg (230.53 mg/day) and P (1220.25 mg/day) in the Cuban population was quantified. The prevalence rate of adequate Ca intake was 69%, which was lower than the results obtained in Cameroon (71.6%), Italy (76%) and Spain (80%). It was found that the highest Mg intake came from non-alcoholic beverages, meats, legumes, and dairy products. The Ca/P molar ratio was 0.44, levels that are below the optimal range and which confirm the global trend.