Flavonoids May Help Lower Risk of Heart Disease and Cancer

Flavonoids are antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine. They help protect the body from damage by free radicals. A new study suggests that a diet high in flavonoids may help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, especially in smokers and alcohol drinkers.

Researchers used data from the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort study, which included 56,048 adults with an average age of 56. Dietary intake data was recorded at baseline. Data on smoking and alcohol consumption was also collected. Participants were followed for 23 years.  

Moderate, daily intake of flavonoids was found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cancer-related mortality in all participants. This association tended to plateau at intakes of 500 mg/day. This risk in reduction was highest for smokers and for those who consumed more than 8 ounces of alcohol per day.

The study was conducted by researchers from Herlov and Gentofte University Hospital, Denmark and the University of Western Australia. It was presented online ahead of print on August 13, 2019 in the journal Nature Communications.