Kids absorb beta-carotene from pumpkin and spinach differently, and poop tests show almost the same difference as blood tests—so maybe we can use poop instead of blood to check nutrition without...

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Supporting (1)

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Extraction of carotenoids from feces, enabling the bioavailability of beta-carotene to be studied in Indonesian children.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2003 Aug 13

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No contradicting evidence found

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Source Study

Extraction of carotenoids from feces, enabling the bioavailability of beta-carotene to be studied in Indonesian children.

Score: 33

DOI: 10.1021/JF0300240

Similar Assertions

In Indonesian kids, pumpkin gives the body about 1.8 times more vitamin A (from beta-carotene) than spinach does, but some kids get way more and others way less — it really varies from person to person.

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Scientists made a new way to measure how well kids absorb vitamin A from pumpkin or spinach by testing their poop — no needles needed!

80%