New Study Reveals Dietary Flavonol Intake Linked to Reduced Mortality Risks in U.S. Adults

A recent study published in Scientific Reports, part of the Nature portfolio, has brought to light significant findings regarding the impact of dietary flavonol intake on mortality risk among U.S. adults. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2007–2008, 2009–2010, and 2017–2018, this comprehensive analysis involved 11,679 participants aged 20 years and above, representing a broad cross-section of the non-hospitalized U.S. population. 

Flavonols, a group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds found abundantly in various fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods, have been the subject of interest due to their potential health benefits.

The study focused on the association between intake levels of total flavonols and their subtypes – isorhamnetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin – with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks. The findings revealed a notable correlation between higher dietary flavonol intake and reduced risks of mortality from all causes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but not diabetes mellitus (DM). 

The analysis, conducted between October 1, 2023, and October 22, 2023, employed Cox proportional hazards models and Fine and Gray competing risks regression models to adjust for various covariates and assess the relationship between flavonol intake and mortality risks.

The results were compelling: individuals with the highest quartile of total flavonol intake exhibited a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54–0.75), cancer-specific mortality (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28–0.70), and CVD-specific mortality (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47–0.96) compared to those in the lowest quartile. 

The protective effects of specific flavonols were also highlighted, with isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and quercetin intake associated with lower all-cause and cancer-specific mortality risks. Particularly, myricetin intake was linked to reduced mortality risks for AD-specific causes (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.85), alongside its association with lower all-cause and CVD-specific mortality risks. 

This study underscores the potential health benefits of flavonol-rich diets in mitigating the risk of death from major diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. It reinforces the importance of incorporating fruits, vegetables, and other flavonol-containing foods into the diet as part of a holistic approach to health and longevity.

The findings suggest that dietary flavonol intake could serve as an independent prognostic indicator for risk assessment of various diseases, offering a valuable tool for healthcare professionals and individuals alike in the pursuit of healthier lifestyles. 

As the global burden of chronic diseases continues to rise, the insights provided by this study contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of diet in disease prevention and health promotion.

The inverse association between flavonol intake and mortality risk highlights the potential of dietary modifications to significantly impact public health outcomes, encouraging further research and public health initiatives to explore and harness the therapeutic potentials of flavonols.  

Journal Reference – Zong, Z., Cheng, X., Yang, Y., Qiao, J., Hao, J., & Li, F. (2024). Association between dietary flavonol intake and mortality risk in the U.S. adults from NHANES database. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55145-y