# Is the Habitual Dietary Intake of Foods of Plant or Animal Origin Associated with Circulating Hemostatic Factors?—Results of the Population-Based KORA-Fit Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how plant and animal-based diets affect blood coagulation factors in a population-based sample.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel associations between dairy and butter consumption and elevated D-dimer levels.

## Key findings

- Consumption of plant-based foods, including green leafy vegetables, showed little association with coagulation parameters.
- High intake of dairy products and butter was linked to increased D-dimer concentrations.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings in prospective studies.

## Abstract

Blood coagulation is a complex physiological process critical for maintaining hemostasis, and disruptions in this system can lead to various health complications. Since the effects of specific food groups on a series of circulating coagulation parameters in the population are not well established, this study examines such associations in the population-based KORA-Fit study. A total of 595 subjects (263 men and 332 women) born between 1945 and 1964 and living in the study region of Augsburg were included in the study. Habitual food intake was estimated based on a combination of repeated 24-h food lists (24HFLs) and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Antithrombin III, D-dimers, factor VIII, fibrinogen, protein C, protein S, aPTT, Quick value and INR were measured in citrate plasma. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to investigate associations between the consumption of specific foods of plant or animal origin and hemostatic factors. We found that the consumption of plant-based food groups, including green leafy vegetables (rich in vitamin K1), were hardly associated with coagulation parameters. Surprisingly, a high consumption of dairy products and especially butter were associated with higher D-dimer concentrations. These findings need further evaluation in prospective studies.