Scientists find "heart boosters" in the daily diet

Those who regularly consume polyphenol-rich foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, berries, cocoa, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil may have a healthier heart over time. Today, a study reports that individuals who follow a polyphenol-rich diet have a lower predicted risk of cardiovascular disease.

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plants that have been linked to several health benefits, including support for the heart, brain, and gut.

In the study, recently published in BMC-Medicine, scientists from King's College London followed more than 3,100 adults from the TwinsUK cohort for more than 10 years.

Studies have found that diets rich in certain polyphenols are associated with healthier blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can help reduce scores on cardiovascular disease risk.

In addition, the researchers evaluated for the first time a group of urinary metabolites, which are produced when the body processes polyphenols.

These biomarkers suggest that people with higher levels of polyphenol metabolites, especially those associated with flavonoids and phenolic acids, have lower cardiovascular risk scores. They also tend to have higher levels of HDL cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol.

To better understand dietary patterns, the researchers used a newly designed polyphenol diet score (PPS) method. The score reflects the intake of 20 polyphenol-rich foods commonly found in the UK, including tea, coffee, berries, olive oil, nuts, and whole grains.

The research team found that PPS was more strongly associated with cardiovascular health than the estimated total polyphenol intake. They believe this may be because PPS reflects overall eating habits rather than focusing solely on individual compounds. This is further evidence of a clearer understanding of how polyphenol-rich foods can collectively promote long-term heart health from a holistic dietary perspective.

Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, King's College London, author of the paper, said: "Our results suggest that long-term adherence to a diet rich in polyphenols can significantly reduce the increase in cardiovascular risk that occurs with age. Even small, sustained dietary changes, such as consuming foods such as berries, tea, coffee, nuts, and whole grains, may contribute to long-term heart protection. ”

"This study provides strong evidence that regular consumption of polyphenol-rich foods in your diet is a simple and effective way to support heart health," added Li Yong, first author of the paper. These plant compounds are widely present in everyday foods, making this strategy practical for most people. ”

The researchers noted that although cardiovascular disease risk naturally rises with age, participants with higher polyphenol intake had a slower risk rise during the 11-year follow-up period. They also emphasize the importance of conducting future trials of dietary interventions.