Flavonoid Intake Varies by Racial/Ethnic Groups Within Sociodemographic Categories

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Diets rich in flavonoids can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While differences in flavonoid intake by race/ethnicity have been previously described, differences between race/ethnicity within categories sociodemographic characteristics have not been fully assessed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate flavonoid intake and evaluate the disparities by race/ethnicity within categories of sociodemographic characteristics in US adults. Methods A total of 15,775 US adults aged 20 years and older in NHANES 2007–2014 were included in this cross-sectional study. Flavonoid intake was calculated by linking food consumption data from a 24-hour diet recall to a flavonoid database which has been expanded on by our research group using the USDA Databases for the Flavonoid (Release 3.3), and Isoflavone (Release 2.1) in addition to the USDA's Expanded Flavonoid Database for the Assessment of Dietary Intakes (Release 1.1). Mean (SE) flavonoid intakes by sociodemographic categories were compared with one-way ANOVA. Results Among US adults, mean (SE) total flavonoid intake was 227.6 (8.0) mg/day, and total flavonoid intake was highest in 40–59 year olds, non-Hispanic whites, those with a poverty-income ratio (PIR) ≥1.85, those with a college education or above, and those married or living with a partner. In most sociodemographic categories, Hispanics consistently had the lowest total flavonoid intakes compared to other races/ethnicities. Among Hispanic subgroups, total flavonoid intake was lowest in men, 20–39 years olds, PIR < 1.3, less than high school education, and single marital status (men only). Ethnic disparities in flavonoid intake were more pronounced between certain sociodemographic subcategories including men, 40–59 year olds, PIR < 1.3, less than high school education, and married marital status (men only). Conclusions These findings indicate that there are significant racial differences in flavonoid intake. Notably, Hispanics tended to have the lowest intake. Certain sociodemographic populations such as males, low income or low educated may be at an increased risk of flavonoid under-consumption. Funding Sources This research received no external funding.