Abstract MP65: Magnesium-Rich Diet Score is Inversely Associated With Incident Cardiovascular Disease: The Atherosclerosis in Communities (ARIC) Study

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have shown inverse associations between serum magnesium (Mg) levels and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but studies of dietary Mg have not been consistent. Aim: The association of a Mg-rich diet score with risks of incident CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and ischemic stroke in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study was examined. Methods: There were 15,022 Black and White adults without prevalent CVD included in this analysis. Diet was assessed at two visits using an interviewer-administered 66-item food frequency questionnaire. A Mg-rich diet score was created including whole grain products, nuts, fruits, vegetables, legumes, coffee, and tea. Cox proportional hazard regression evaluated the associations of incident CVD, CHD and stroke through 2019 across quintiles of Mg-rich diet score adjusted for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and clinical characteristics. Results: Participants in the highest quintile of Mg-rich diet score compared to the lowest quintile consumed more servings of Mg-rich foods and fiber and less refined grains, red and processed meat, total fat and saturated fat. Over 30 years of follow up, a Mg-rich diet score was inversely associated with incident CVD (HR Q5 vs Q1 =0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.99, p trend =0.03) and CHD (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.96, p trend =0.01); however the diet-stroke association was null (HR=1.08, 95% CI 1.07-1.09, p trend =0.93) (Table). Conclusions: Consuming a diet rich in whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, legumes, coffee and tea is consistent with a lower long-term risk of CVD and CHD.