Association between flavonoid intake and arterial stiffness: PERSIAN cohort study

TL;DR

This study found no significant link between flavonoid intake and reduced arterial stiffness or blood pressure in a large group of people.

Contribution

The study contributes new evidence on the lack of association between flavonoid consumption and arterial stiffness in a Middle Eastern population.

Findings

Total flavonoid intake showed a non-significant inverse relationship with high-risk pulse wave velocity and augmentation index.

No significant associations were found between flavonoid subclasses and arterial stiffness or blood pressure.

More research is needed to clarify the role of flavonoids in cardiovascular health.

Abstract

Given the growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), preventing them is considered one of the most critical global health goals. Evidence suggests that high flavonoid intake may reduce the risk of CVDs. Therefore, this study investigates the association between flavonoid intake and arterial stiffness as a predictor of CVDs.

The PERSIAN cohort study in Mashhad data was used in this cross-sectional study. From data registered in the cohort center, 3423 men and women aged 35 to 70 years were recruited for this study. Total flavonoid intake and intakes of each flavonoid subclass were obtained through a food frequency questionnaire using the Phenol Explorer. Then, their association with blood pressure and arterial stiffness indices, including pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central augmentation index (AIx), was assessed using univariate logistic regression, and confounding factors were adjusted by performing the multivariable analysis.

The findings showed that total flavonoid intake had a non-significant inverse relationship with high-risk levels of PWV and AIx (OR (95% CI) for the highest quintile compared to the lowest quintile were 0.83 (0.65-1.06) and 0.95 (0.74-1.21), respectively). Also, no significant association was detected between intake of each flavonoid subclass and high-risk levels of blood pressure or arterial stiffness indices including PWV and AIx.

This study revealed that total flavonoid and each flavonoid subclass had no significant association with high-risk arterial stiffness or blood pressure levels. More studies on flavonoids' impact on arterial stiffness are needed for a definite conclusion.