Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake is Inversely Associated with Hypertension in a Cohort of Adults Living in the Mediterranean Area.

Justyna Godos,Marina Marranzano,Angela Satriano,Francesca Pluchinotta,Sonia Bergante

doi:10.3390/molecules23020368

Justyna Godos, Marina Marranzano + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23020368

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Abstract

Background: Dietary polyphenols, including phytoestrogens are abundantly present in a balanced diet. Evidence for their role in preventing non-communicable diseases is emerging. Methods: We examined the association between estimated habitual intakes of dietary phytoestrogens and hypertension in a cohort study. The baseline data included 1936 men and women aged 18 years and older. Intakes of total phytoestrogens, isoflavones, and lignans were calculated from validated food frequency questionnaire. Data on the polyphenols content in foods were retrieved from the Phenol-Explorer database. Results: Individuals in the highest quartile of dietary phytoestrogens intake were less likely to be hypertensive (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44–0.98); moreover, the association showed a significant decreasing trend. Isoflavones and lignans were not associated with lower odds of hypertension; however, some individual compounds, such as biochanin A and pinoresinol showed an independent inverse association with hypertension. Conclusions: Dietary phytoestrogens are associated with lower likelihood of hypertension in adults living in the Mediterranean area. Future studies are needed to confirm the present findings (i.e., prospective cohort studies) and to better understand the mechanisms underlying such associations.

Highlights

Dietary polyphenols are the focus of major attention due to their potential beneficial effects on human health [1,2]
Among individuals in the highest category of phytoestrogen intake, there was a higher percentage of females
There was a higher prevalence of non-smokers, low physical active and regular alcohol drinkers among high phytoestrogen consumers compared to lower ones

Summary

Introduction

Dietary polyphenols are the focus of major attention due to their potential beneficial effects on human health [1,2]. Phytoestrogens are a group of molecules with weak, yet clinically relevant, estrogen-like activity. Among the most studied groups of phytoestrogens, isoflavones and lignans have been demonstrated to be the most consumed in human diets [3]. Phytoestrogens have been studied for their ability to regulate cell proliferation/apoptosis and in relation to cancer risk/protection. Recent evidence suggests that phytoestrogen-rich foods may play a role in modulating cardiovascular risk, providing the rationale to pay broader attention to these molecules for prevention of non-communicable diseases [6]. Dietary polyphenols, including phytoestrogens are abundantly present in a balanced diet. Evidence for their role in preventing non-communicable diseases is emerging

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