Abstract
BackgroundFlavonoids are a group of phenolic secondary plant metabolites that are ubiquitous in plant-based diets. Data from anthropological, observational and intervention studies have shown that many flavonoids are bioactive. For this reason, there is an increasing interest in investigating the potential health effects of these compounds. The translation of these findings into the context of the health of the general public requires detailed information on habitual dietary intake. However, only limited data are currently available for European populations.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine the habitual intake and main sources of anthocyanidins, flavanols, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, proanthocyanidins, theaflavins and thearubigins in the European Union.DesignWe use food consumption data from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the FLAVIOLA Food Composition Database to estimate intake of flavonoids.ResultsMean (±SEM) intake of total flavonoids in Europe was 428±49 mg/d, of which 136±14 mg/d were monomeric compounds. Gallated flavan-3-ols (53±12 mg/d) were the main contributor. The lowest flavonoid intake was observed in Mediterranean countries (monomeric compounds: 95±11 mg/d). The distribution of intake was skewed in many countries, especially in Germany (monomeric flavonoids; mean intake: 181 mg/d; median intake: 3 mg/d).ConclusionsThe habitual intake of flavonoids in Europe is below the amounts found to have a significant health effect.
Highlights
Flavonoids are a group of secondary plant metabolites, derived from 2-phenylchroman, which are ubiquitous in seed plants and found in most plant-based foods [1]
The lowest flavonoid intake was observed in Mediterranean countries
The habitual intake of flavonoids in Europe is below the amounts found to have a significant health effect
Summary
Flavonoids are a group of secondary plant metabolites, derived from 2-phenylchroman, which are ubiquitous in seed plants (spermatophytes) and found in most plant-based foods [1]. In the 20th century, flavonoids were briefly considered to be a vitamin affecting capillary permeability [6], it emerged quickly that these compounds are not an essential dietary factor [7] Based on these observations, flavonoid-containing drugs have been used extensively to treat disorders of the peripheral circulation, and to treat radiation poisoning, intoxications and liver diseases [8]. Data from anthropological, observational and intervention studies have shown that many flavonoids are bioactive For this reason, there is an increasing interest in investigating the potential health effects of these compounds. Only limited data are currently available for European populations
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