The impact of rotating night shift on nurses’ dietary total antioxidant capacity

The negative effects of shift work on oxidant-antioxidant balance are known, but its impact on dietary total antioxidant capacity (dTAC) is less studied. This cross-sectional study investigated dTAC among nurses on rotating schedules N = 44). Dietary intake of antioxidants–total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and total flavonoids–was assessed using seven consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. The dTAC was estimated using four methods: oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total radical trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). Sleep quality and chronotype were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, respectively. Findings indicated a significant elevation in dTAC during night shifts (p < 0.05), driven by increased tea consumption, despite reduced fruit and legume intake. These findings highlight the importance low-calorie, antioxidant-rich food–such as vegetables, fruits, and legumes–to enhance flavonoid intake and dTAC levels in shift workers.