The link between dietary nutrients intake and cardiovascular diseases in cold regions

Abstract

Abstract Background The cold winter weather in northern China influences the dietary habits of its residents, contributing to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. Key factors include low vegetable consumption and high salt and fat intakes. This study aims to investigate the relationships between northern dietary nutrient intake in northern China and cardiovascular disorders during the winter season. Methods A food frequency questionnaire tailored to the actual eating habits in northern China was designed. Retrospective data from 955 Chinese adults were collected from November to March between 2014 to 2023. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the relationship between dietary nutrients and cardiovascular diseases, with model performance assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Adjusted for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI), an inverse association was observed between vitamin A (OR = 0.706, 95% CI: 0.550, 0.907), nicotinic acid (OR = 0.584, 95% CI: 0.447, 0.762), phosphorus (OR = 0.777, 95% CI: 0.608, 0.994), selenium (OR = 0.719, 95% CI: 0.560, 0.923), zinc (OR = 0.683, 95% CI: 0.531, 0.880), methionine (OR = 0.730, 95% CI: 0.569, 0.936), arginine (OR = 0.753, 95% CI: 0.588, 0.964), lysine (OR = 0.706, 95% CI: 0.550, 0.907), aspartic acid (OR = 0.730, 95% CI: 0.569, 0.936) and hypertension. Additionally, a negative association was found between niacin (OR = 0.752, 95% CI: 0.597, 0.946) and coronary heart disease. Conversely, a positive association was identified between iodine and hypertension (OR = 1.305, 95% CI: 1.020, 1.669) and coronary heart disease (OR = 1.301, 95% CI: 1.037, 1.634). Conclusion Our study suggests that maintaining a balanced dietary intake of vitamin A, niacin, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, methionine, arginine, lysine, and aspartic acid can be beneficial in preventing hypertension. Adequate niacin intake is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. However, excessive iodine intake may contribute to hypertension and coronary heart disease.