Consumption of soup and nutritional intake in French adults: consequences for nutritional status

Aim: The impact of soup consumption on nutrient intake and nutritional indicators was assessed in adults who consumed soup compared to those who did not or who were occasional eaters. Methods: Data were obtained for 2188 men and 2849 women living in France and participating in the SU.VI.MAX cohort, who reported twelve 24-h dietary records during a 2-year follow-up period (60444 records). Subjects were divided into three groups: (1) those who ate soup 0-2 days or less out of 6 days were classified as occasional or non-consumers; (2) those who consumed soup 3-4 days out of 6 were defined as regular consumers; (3) those who consumed soup 5-6 days out of 6 were defined as heavy consumers. Results: Seven per cent of women and 9% of men were heavy consumers of soup. Respectively, 46 and 42% were regular, and 47 and 49% were occasional or non-consumers. Mean energy intake was lower in heavy consumers than in occasional or non-consumers, but the difference was statistically significant only in women. In men and women, heavy consumers of soup had significantly higher intakes of carbohydrates than occasional and non-consumers (245 g J-1 vs. 227 g J-1 in men; 186 g J-1 vs. 176 g J-1 in women) and lower lipid intakes (97 g J-1 vs. 102 g J-1 in men; 80 g J-1 vs. 75 g J-1 in women). Soup consumers presented lower energy intake at dinner than light or non-consumers. In soup consumers, breakfast and lunch contained greater amounts of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, but dinner contained significantly smaller amounts of lipids and proteins. A higher frequency of BMI > 27 kg m-2 was found in occasional and non-soup consumers; conversely a higher frequency of BMI between 23 and 27 kg m-2 was found in regular consumers of soup and a higher frequency of BMI < 23 kg m-2 in heavy consumers. For women, an association was found between occasional or non-consumers and BMI > 25 kg m-2 and between heavy consumers and BMI < 22 kg m-2. Likewise an association was found in men only between heavy consumption of soup and lower value of serum cholesterol. Conclusion: The present data suggest that the consumption of soups contributes to a balanced diet. Consumption of soup may be beneficial for a healthy nutritional status in the overall population.