Flavonoids are a group of natural substances found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine. They are popular for their beneficial effects on health. They also exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties. But can flavonoids protect people against cancer and heart disease?

 

According to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), consuming food rich in flavonoids protects against cancer and heart disease particularly in those with a high risk of chronic diseases – smokers and heavy drinkers.

 

The cohort study assessed 56,048 participants of the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. The researchers from ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences analysed their eating habits over 23 years.

 

They found an inverse association of habitual consumption of moderate to high flavonoids with cardiovascular and cancer-related mortality. In essence, people who consumed at least 500mg of flavonoids a day were less likely to die from cancer or heart disease.

 

The study, titled ‘Flavonoid intake is associated with lower mortality in the Danish Diet Cancer and Health Cohort’, was published 13th August in Nature Communications.

 

The study found a lower risk of death in those who ate flavonoid-rich foods. However, the protective effect appeared to be strongest for those at high risk of chronic diseases due to cigarette smoking. It was also strong for those who drank more than two standard alcoholic drinks a day.

 

 

The lead researcher Dr Nicola Bondonno said:

“These findings are important as they highlight the potential to prevent cancer and heart disease by encouraging the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods, particularly in people at high risk of these chronic diseases.”

 

Despite the good findings, flavonoid consumption does not counteract all of the adverse effects caused by smoking and high alcohol consumption. Altogether, it is best to do away with smoking and cut down on alcohol.

 

Lifestyle changes can be very challenging, hence, encouraging flavonoid consumption might be a way to relieve the increased risk. Furthermore, also encouraging people to quit smoking.

 

 

Flavonoid consumption: How much?

It’s important to consume a variety of different flavonoids. You can achieve this by combining different plant-based food and drink.

 

Participants consuming about 500mg of total flavonoids each day had the lowest risk of cancer or heart disease-related death. Beyond 500mg of flavonoids a day, ‘higher intakes afforded no added benefit’ for any of the participants, the researchers wrote.

 

The research established an inverse association between flavonoids consumption and lower risk of death. However,  Dr Bondonno stated that “the exact nature of the protective effect is still unclear but likely multifaceted,”.

 

 

The inverse association could be due to the fact that flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and improve blood vessel function.

 

The next step is to look more closely at which types of heart disease cancers flavonoids protect the most.