Flavonoids Affect Cardiovascular Risk in Men

Eating more fruits and vegetables, especially those that are rich in flavonoids, was associated with improvement of several cardiovascular disease risk indicators in men, according to a new study. In order to confirm associations observed between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and cardiovascular health improvement, researchers conducted a single-blind, dose-dependent, parallel randomized controlled study of men and women with low fruit and vegetable intake who had an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Researchers assigned participants to either a high-flavonoid, low-flavonoid, or habitual diet. High- and low-flavonoid amounts were increased by 2, 4, and 6 portions a day every 6 weeks and arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and vascular function were measured at baseline and after each increase. In male participants, the high-flavonoid diet was found to increase microvascular reactivity and plasma nitric oxide. Increase in fruit and vegetable intake, regardless of flavonoid content, was found to combat vascular stiffness and decrease nitric oxide. “These data support recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable intake to ≥6 portions daily, with additional benefit from fruit and vegetables that are rich in flavonoids, particularly in men with an increased risk of CVD,” researchers concluded. –Michael Potts Macready AL, George TW, Chong MF, Alimbetov DS, et al. Flavonoid-rich fruit and vegetables improve microvascular reactivity and inflammatory status in men at risk of cardiovascular disease—FLAVURS: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014. [epub ahead of print]