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Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that diets high in vegetables and fruit are associated with a decreased risk of cancer and, possibly cardiovascular disease. Certain constituents of vegetables and fruit inhibit the in vitro activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a potent mitogen implicated in both cancer and cardiovascular disease. Few studies have measured PDGF in relationship to diet in vivo. Specifically, there are no data regarding the changes in PDGF levels of mitogenic activity after a dietary intervention. In this study, 19 young, healthy individuals consumed four (9-day) experimental diets in random order: (a) control diet alone; (b) control diet plus carotenoid-rich vegetables; (c) control diet plus cruciferous vegetables; and (d) control diet plus soy foods. Compared to the control diet, there was a significant elevation in PDGF-AB serum levels when the individuals were consuming the soy diet (P = 0.016). Increased PDGF-AB levels were also noted for the carotenoid diet. There was no change from baseline levels when individuals were consuming the cruciferous diet. Overall, mitogenic activity did not change on any of the experimental diets. This study suggests that high soy and carotenoid diets increase serum levels of PDGF-AB. This may represent an additional mechanism by which diet influences individual risk of cancer; further investigation into the role of diet and growth factors is warranted.