A recent study conducted by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast, Edith Cowan University Perth (ECU), and the Medical University of Vienna and Universitat Wien has shed light on the potential benefits of consuming a diverse range of foods rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in plant-based foods such as tea, berries, dark chocolate, apples, grapes, and red wine.
The study, published in Nature Food, followed over 120,000 participants aged between 40 and 70 for more than a decade. The findings suggest that a diet rich in diverse flavonoids could help lower the risk of developing serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological diseases. Lead researcher Professor Aedín Cassidy highlighted the importance of consuming a wide variety of flavonoids, as different types work in different ways to benefit health.
Dr. Benjamin Parmenter, a Research Fellow at ECU and co-lead of the study, emphasized the significant health benefits associated with a flavonoid-diverse diet. Consuming around 500 mg of flavonoids a day was linked to a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease. The study also found that those who consumed a wider diversity of flavonoids had an even lower risk of developing these diseases.
Professor Tilman Kuhn, another co-lead author of the study, highlighted the importance of consuming a variety of flavonoid-rich foods to maintain good health. The study’s findings support the notion that eating a range of colorful fruits and vegetables, rich in flavonoids, can provide essential vitamins and nutrients for a healthier lifestyle.
The research team recommended increasing the consumption of flavonoids to maintain health and suggested advising individuals to diversify their intake of these compounds for optimal benefits. Simple dietary swaps, such as drinking more tea and eating more berries and apples, can help increase the variety and intake of flavonoid-rich foods, potentially improving long-term health.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the health benefits of consuming a diverse range of flavonoid-rich foods and emphasizes the importance of incorporating these foods into a balanced diet for overall well-being.
