Dietary intake estimations of phosphorus : based on Swedish Market basket data 1999-2015

Abstract: Concerns regarding excessive phosphorus intake has been raised in the USA due to an increased usage of phosphorus containing additives in the food industry. Phospho-rus containing additives (inorganic phosphorus) are for example found in processed meat and cola-flavoured soft drinks. An excessive phosphorus intake might have se-vere consequences on health since the risk of cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis increases with increasing serum phosphorus concentrations. The intake of inorganic phosphorus is especially interesting since inorganic phospho-rus has a higher absorption rate. However, the proportion of inorganic phosphorus is difficult to estimate. The aim of this study was to estimate the total phosphorus intake, intake of inorganic phosphorus and the ratio between calcium and phosphorus. The daily phosphorus intake in Sweden was estimated from Market basket studies per-formed by the National Food Agency. Food items were analysed and together with per capita consumption the phosphorus intake was estimated. Between 1999 and 2015, phosphorus intake in the Swedish population constantly was about 1800-2000 mg/day. An increasing trend has not been observed in Sweden, rather a decrease (p=0.006) between 2005 and 2015. Estimations show that the Market basket 2015 contains a maximum of 400 mg inorganic phosphorus. The three main phosphorus sources are dairy products (32%), cereals (21%) and meat (21%). The calcium to phosphorus ratio in 2015 was estimated to be 1:2.1 and has not increased substantially since 1999. Although there is no increase in phosphorus intake in Sweden, the phos-phorus intake is three times higher than recommended intakes, hence further moni-toring is required since consequences of an excessive phosphorus intake might be serious.