Author Identifier
Nicola P. Bondonno: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5905-444X
Benjamin H. Parmenter: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9166-618X
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume
120
Issue
5
First Page
1195
Last Page
1206
PubMed ID
39222688
Publisher
Elsevier
School
Institute for Nutrition Research / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
75767
Funders
Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems / Science Foundation Ireland / UK Research and Innovation / Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs / National Health and Medical Research Council
Grant Number
NHMRC Number : APP1159914
Abstract
Background: Given their antioxidative stress, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating effects, flavonoids are hypothesized to play a role in preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Objectives: This cohort study aimed to examine associations between flavonoid intake and COPD, asthma, and lung function. Methods: Among 119,466 participants of the UK Biobank, median [interquartile range] age of 60 [53, 65] y, we estimated intakes of flavonoids, flavonoid-rich foods, and a flavodiet score from 24-h diet assessments. Prospective associations with both incident COPD and asthma and cross-sectional associations with measures of lung function [%predicted forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1); and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC)] were examined using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards and linear regression models, respectively. We investigated mediation by inflammation––represented by the INFLA score––and stratified analyses by smoking status. Results: Compared with low intakes, moderate intakes of total flavonoids, flavonols, theaflavins + thearubigins, and flavanones, and moderate-to-high intakes of flavanol monomers, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavones, and the flavodiet score were associated with up to an 18% lower risk of incident COPD {e.g., [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for total flavonoids: 0.83 (0.75, 0.92)]} but not incident asthma. Furthermore, compared with low intakes, higher intakes of all flavonoid subclasses (except theaflavins + thearubigins), and the flavodiet score were associated with better percent predicted FEV1 baseline. Associations were most apparent in ever (current or former) smokers. Flavonoid intakes were inversely associated with the INFLA score, which appeared to mediate 11%–14% of the association between intakes of proanthocyanidins and flavones and incident COPD. Conclusions: Moderate-to-high flavonoid intakes were associated with a lower risk of COPD and better lung function, particularly among ever smokers. Promoting intakes of healthy flavonoid-rich foods, namely, tea, apples, and berries, may improve respiratory health and lower COPD risk, particularly in individuals with a smoking history.
DOI
10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.08.032
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Bondonno, N. P., Parmenter, B. H., Thompson, A. S., Jennings, A., Murray, K., Rasmussen, D. B., ... & Cassidy, A. (2024). Flavonoid intakes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, adult asthma, and lung function: a cohort study in the UK Biobank. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 120(5), 1195-1206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.08.032