Lignan Intake Research Articles

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

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.

Pre-diagnostic plasma enterolactone concentrations and breast cancer prognosis among postmenopausal women – The Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort

High intakes of the phytoestrogen lignans and high blood concentrations of its main biomarker, enterolactone, has been associated with a better breast cancer prognosis. We investigated the association between pre-diagnostic plasma concentrations of enterolactone and breast cancer prognosis (i.e. recurrence, breast cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality). Plasma and data was available from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. Information on treatment and clinical characteristics from registries and clinical databases and both pre-diagnostic and diagnostic plasma measurement of enterolactone on a sub-set. Enterolactone was quantified in plasma using a high-throughput LC-MS/MS method. We followed 1457 breast cancer cases from date of diagnosis and until censoring or end-of-follow-up (median 9 years), during this time 404 died (250 of breast cancer) and 267 experienced recurrence. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Plasma enterolactone were borderline significantly associated with lower breast cancer-specific mortality (HRdoubling=0.93, 95% CI:0.86, 1.00, P=0.0501), but not associated with all-cause mortality (HRdoubling=0.95, 95% CI:0.89, 1.01) and recurrence (HRdoubling=0.96, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.04) in the models adjusted for smoking, schooling, BMI, physical activity and use of menopausal hormones. Adjusting further for clinical characteristics and treatment did not change the results considerably. In the sensitivity analyses, an inverse association was found with all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality for those where blood was collected ≤5 years before diagnosis. Overall, no clear association was found between pre-diagnostic plasma concentrations of enterolactone and breast cancer prognosis.

Phytoestrogen Concentrations in Human Urine as Biomarkers for Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake in Mexican Women.

There has been substantial interest in phytoestrogens, because of their potential effect in reducing cancer and heart disease risk. Measuring concentrations of phytoestrogens in urine is an alternative method for conducting epidemiological studies. Our objective was to evaluate the urinary excretion of phytoestrogens as biomarkers for dietary phytoestrogen intake in Mexican women. Participants were 100 healthy women from 25 to 80 years of age. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a 24 h recall were used to estimate habitual and recent intakes of isoflavones, lignans, flavonols, coumestrol, resveratrol, naringenin, and luteolin. Urinary concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) using the electrospray ionization interface (ESI) and diode array detector (DAD) (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS). Spearman correlation coefficients were used to evaluate associations between dietary intake and urine concentrations. The habitual consumption (FFQ) of total phytoestrogens was 37.56 mg/day. In urine, the higher compounds were naringenin (60.1 µg/L) and enterolactone (41.7 µg/L). Recent intakes (24 h recall) of isoflavones (r = 0.460, p < 0.001), lignans (r = 0.550, p < 0.0001), flavonoids (r = 0.240, p < 0.05), and total phytoestrogens (r = 0.410, p < 0.001) were correlated to their urinary levels. Total phytoestrogen intakes estimated by the FFQ showed higher correlations to urinary levels (r = 0.730, p < 0.0001). Urinary phytoestrogens may be useful as biomarkers of phytoestrogen intake, and as a tool for evaluating the relationship of intake and disease risk in Mexican women.

Association between dietary phytoestrogens intakes and prostate cancer risk in Sicily

Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the association between dietary phytoestrogen consumption and prostate cancer in a sample of southern Italian individuals.Methods: A population-based case-control study on the association between prostate cancer and dietary factors was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 in a single institution of the municipality of Catania, southern Italy (Registration number: 41/2015). A total of 118 histopathological-verified prostate cancer (PCa) cases and a total of 222 controls were collected. Dietary data was collected by using two food frequency questionnaires.Results: Patients with PCa consumed significantly higher levels of phytoestrogens. Multivariate logistic regression showed that lignans (Q[quartile]4 vs. Q1, OR [odds ratio] = 4.72; p < .05) and specifically, lariciresinol (Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 4.60; p < .05), pinoresinol (Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 5.62; p < .05), matairesinol (Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 3.63; p < .05), secoisolariciresinol (Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 4.10; p < .05) were associated with increased risk of PCa. Furthermore, we found that isoflavones (Q3 vs. Q1, OR = 0.28; p < .05) and specifically, genistein (Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 0.40; p < .05) were associated with reduced risk of PCa.Conclusion: We found of an inverse association between dietary isoflavone intake and PCa, while a positive association was found with lignans intake.

Peripubertal dietary flavonol and lignan intake and age at menarche in a longitudinal cohort of girls.

BackgroundDietary phytoestrogens may alter hormonal activity in childhood. Flavonols and lignans are the most prevalent phytoestrogens in the Western diet. We examined whether higher intake of flavonols and lignans was associated with later age at menarche in a prospective study of young girls.MethodsIn all, 1,044 girls aged 6-8 years (mean 7.3 years) with two to four 24-h dietary recalls during their baseline year were followed up for 11 years until the attainment of menarche in the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Project (BCERP). Associations of age at menarche with quintiles of phytoestrogens were assessed using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from Cox proportional hazards models, controlling for body mass index and other covariates.ResultsThe highest quintile of flavonol intake was associated with a later age at menarche, compared with the lowest quintile (adjusted HR: 0.80, 95% CI: (0.66-1.00). For lignans, there was a later age in overweight girls (HR: 0.56, 95% CI=0.40-0.80).ConclusionThese dietary bioactives may reflect a healthy diet, and foods high in phytoestrogens may influence the timing of menarche.

Dietary Flavonoid and Lignan Intake and Mortality in Prospective Cohort Studies: Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis

Recent evidence has suggested that flavonoid and lignan intake may be associated with decreased risk of chronic and degenerative diseases. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between dietary flavonoid and lignan intake and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in prospective cohort studies. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases to identify studies published from January 1996 to December 2015 that satisfied inclusion/exclusion criteria. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were extracted and analyzed using a random-effects model. Nonlinear dose-response analysis was modeled by using restricted cubic splines. The inclusion criteria were met by 22 prospective studies exploring various flavonoid and lignan classes. Compared with lower intake, high consumption of total flavonoids was associated with decreased risk of all-cause mortality (risk ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence intervals: 0.55, 0.99), while a 100-mg/day increment in intake led to a (linear) decreased risk of 6% and 4% of all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively. Among flavonoid classes, significant results were obtained for intakes of flavonols, flavones, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and proanthocyanidins. Only limited evidence was available on flavonoid classes and lignans and all-cause mortality. Findings from this meta-analysis indicated that dietary flavonoids are associated with decreased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.

Effect of Antibiotics and Diet on Enterolactone Concentration and Metabolome Studied by Targeted and Nontargeted LC-MS Metabolomics.

High plant lignan intake is associated with a number of health benefits, possibly induced by the lignan metabolite enterolactone (ENL). The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in converting dietary lignans into ENL, and epidemiological studies have shown that use of antibiotics is associated with lower levels of ENL. Here we investigate the link between antibiotic use and lignan metabolism in pigs using LC-MS/MS. The effect of lignan intake and antibiotic use on the gut microbial community and the pig metabolome is studied by 16S rRNA sequencing and nontargeted LC-MS. Treatment with antibiotics resulted in substantially lower concentrations of ENL compared with concentrations detected in untreated animals, whereas the plasma concentrations of plant lignans were unchanged. Both diet and antibiotic treatment affected the clustering of urinary metabolites and significantly altered the proportions of taxa in the gut microbiota. Diet, but not antibiotic treatment, affected the plasma lipid profile, and a lower concentration of LDL cholesterol was observed in the pigs fed a high lignan diet. This study provides solid support for the associations between ENL concentrations and use of antibiotics found in humans and indicates that the lower ENL concentration may be a consequence of the ecological changes in the microbiota.

A comprehensive meta-analysis on dietary flavonoid and lignan intake and cancer risk: Level of evidence and limitations.

To summarize available evidence on the association between dietary flavonoid as well as lignan intake and cancer risk in observational studies. A systematic search on electronic databases of all English language case-control and prospective studies published up to June 2016 was performed. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by random-effects model separately by study design. Heterogeneity and publication bias were tested. Out of the 143 studies included, meta-analyses of prospective studies showed isoflavones significantly associated with decreased risk of lung and stomach cancers and nearly significant breast and colorectal cancers; total flavonoids showed nonsignificant decreased risk of breast cancer. Meta-analyses of case-control studies showed: total and/or individual classes of flavonoids associated with upper aero-digestive tract, colorectal, breast, and lung cancers; isoflavones with ovarian, breast, and colorectal cancers, endometrial and lung cancers. Most evidence reported in previous meta-analyses was driven by case-control studies. Overall results may be promising but are inconclusive. Further prospective cohorts assessing dietary polyphenol exposure and studies using other methods to evaluate exposure (i.e. markers of consumption, metabolism, excretion) are needed to confirm and determine consumption levels required to achieve health benefits.

Plasma metabolite abundances are associated with urinary enterolactone excretion in healthy participants on controlled diets.

Enterolignans, products of gut bacterial metabolism of plant lignans, have been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, but their association with other plasma metabolites is unknown. We examined plasma metabolite profiles according to urinary enterolignan excretion in a cross-sectional analysis using data from a randomized crossover, controlled feeding study. Eighty healthy adult males and females completed two 28-day feeding periods differing by glycemic load, refined carbohydrate, and fiber content. Lignan intake was calculated from food records using a polyphenol database. Targeted metabolomics was performed by LC-MS on plasma from fasting blood samples collected at the end of each feeding period. Enterolactone (ENL) and enterodiol, were measured in 24 h urine samples collected on the penultimate day of each study period using GC-MS. Linear mixed models were used to test the association between enterolignan excretion and metabolite abundances. Pathway analyses were conducted using the Global Test. Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) was used to control for multiple testing. Of the metabolites assayed, 121 were detected in all samples. ENL excretion was associated positively with plasma hippuric acid and melatonin, and inversely with epinephrine, creatine, glycochenodeoxycholate, and glyceraldehyde (P < 0.05). Hippuric acid only satisfied the FDR of q < 0.1. END excretion was associated with myristic acid and glycine (q < 0.5). Two of 57 pathways tested were associated significantly with ENL, ubiquinone and terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, and inositol phosphate metabolism. These results suggest a potential role for ENL or ENL-metabolizing gut bacteria in regulating plasma metabolites.

The possibilities of increasing lignan content in food

Lignans are bioactive substances which belong to polyphenols. This compounds can be found in plants including coniferous trees. Lignans are secondary plant metabolites with wide range of biological effects, such as antimicrobial, antivirus or anticancer. They also serve as antioxidants and are naturally occurring compounds which are found in food rich in fibre. There are more than 200 lignans that originate from more than 70 plant families. They can be found in all parts of the plant, mainly in seeds. Almost 37% of total lignan intake in human diet comes from drinking tea and coffee. Fruit and vegetable contain only about 1% of lignans, but they are also significant source of lignans because they are consumed in higher amounts than seeds. 7-hydroxymatairesinol is the main representative of lignans. It is white powder with great health benefits and it is present in the knots of coniferous trees, especially in knots of spruce. Lignans were extracted from the knots and used for fortifying fruit and vegetable spreads. Subsequently, the fortified products became subject to sensory analysis, their antioxidant capacity was measured by the FRAP method, total polyphenols content was found and lignan content determined using the HPLC method. The aim was enriching commonly consumed foods by healthy lignans to avoid negative effects on the sensory quality of these products by the bitter taste of the lignan extract. Of the tested foods, plum jam and red pepper paste are the best options as they best block the bitter taste of lignans. There was a positive increase in antioxidant capacity in food products fortified by the lignan extract. For plum jam, strawberry jam, strawberry spread and red pepper paste, the more lignans were added to the products, the greater was the level of antioxidant capacity. The highest antioxidant capacity was reached in samples with the added amount of 340 mg of lignan per kg of product. As with the antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols content is dependent on the quantity of added lignans. Plum jam is the only exception, for which there was no statistically evident difference between the doses of 170 mg and 340 mg of lignans per kg. The values of lignans measured for samples with added 340 mg of lignans per kg range from 313 mg to 339 mg. For samples with addition of 170 mg of lignans per kg the measured values range from 129 to 164 mg per kg. Although lignans are beneficial for health, they are not acceptable to deteriorate taste of the product. The samples containing the highest dose of lignans, i.e. 340 mg of lignans per kg, were rated as the least acceptable by consumer. Evaluated as the most suitable in this regard was plum jam with a dose of 170 mg of lignans per kg of product where lignans were not found to possess a sensory effect on the acceptability of the product.

Use of antibiotics is associated with lower enterolactone plasma concentration.

High enterolactone levels may have health benefits in relation to risk of noncommunicable diseases. Enterolactone is produced by the colonic microbiota after intake of lignans and treatment with antimicrobials may result in altered enterolactone production. This study investigates the association between antibiotic use and enterolactone concentration. Using LC-MS/MS, enterolactone concentrations were quantified in plasma samples from 2237 participants from the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. The participants were healthy at enrollment, but were later diagnosed with cancer. At enrollment, participants had blood drawn and completed a food frequency questionnaire and lifestyle questionnaire. Antibiotic use was assessed as reimbursed antibiotic prescriptions up to 12 months before enrollment. Antibiotic use ≤3 months before enrollment was associated with a 41% (Δcrude : -41; 95% CI: -52, -28) lower enterolactone concentration in women and 12% in men (Δcrude : -12; 95% CI: -31, 11), while antibiotic use >3-12 months before enrollment was associated with 26% lower enterolactone in women (Δcrude : -26; 95% CI: -37, -14) and 14% in men (Δcrude : -14; 95% CI: -28, 1). Use of antibiotics up to 12 months before enrollment was associated with lower plasma enterolactone levels, especially among women.

Flavonoid and lignan intake and pancreatic cancer risk in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition cohort.

Despite the potential cancer preventive effects of flavonoids and lignans, their ability to reduce pancreatic cancer risk has not been demonstrated in epidemiological studies. Our aim was to examine the association between dietary intakes of flavonoids and lignans and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. A total of 865 exocrine pancreatic cancer cases occurred after 11.3 years of follow‐up of 477,309 cohort members. Dietary flavonoid and lignan intake was estimated through validated dietary questionnaires and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Phenol Explorer databases. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using age, sex and center‐stratified Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for energy intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol and diabetes status. Our results showed that neither overall dietary intake of flavonoids nor of lignans were associated with pancreatic cancer risk (multivariable‐adjusted HR for a doubling of intake = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.95–1.11 and 1.02; 95% CI: 0.89–1.17, respectively). Statistically significant associations were also not observed by flavonoid subclasses. An inverse association between intake of flavanones and pancreatic cancer risk was apparent, without reaching statistical significance, in microscopically confirmed cases (HR for a doubling of intake = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.91–1.00). In conclusion, we did not observe an association between intake of flavonoids, flavonoid subclasses or lignans and pancreatic cancer risk in the EPIC cohort.

Prospective Study of Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer

ABSTRACTDietary phytoestrogen intake has been inversely associated with the risk of prostate and breast cancer and might also affect the risk of colorectal cancer. We evaluated the associations between dietary lignan intake, dietary isoflavonoid intake, dietary coumestrol intake, and dietary enterolignans and equol intake, and risk of colorectal cancer. Data from the Women's Lifestyle and Health (WLH) Cohort study was used. The WLH study is a prospective population-based cohort study including 48,268 Swedish women aged 30–49 years at the time of enrolment in 1991–92. Follow-up for colorectal cancer incidence, death, and emigration until the end of 2010 was performed through record linkage to the Swedish Cancer Registry and Total Population Register. During follow-up 206 incident colorectal cancer cases were identified. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate adjusted risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We found no statistically significant association between the intake of dietary lignans, dietary isoflavonoids, coumestrol, or enterolignans and equol, and risk of colorectal cancer. We found no association between dietary phytoestrogen intake and the risk of colorectal cancer. However, since the number of cancer cases was small, our results need to be confirmed. Future studies should investigate colon and rectal cancer separately.

Polyphenol intake is associated with low-grade inflammation, using a novel data analysis from the Moli-sani study.

The association of polyphenol content of human diet with low-grade inflammation is not yet fully understood. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the association of flavonoid and lignan intake with frequently used and easily applicable in clinical practice low-grade inflammation biomarkers, in a novel holistic approach. A total of 5,948 women and 5,965 men (aged ≥ 35 years) were analysed from the Moli-sani cohort, randomly recruited from the general population. The EPIC-FFQ was used for dietary assessment. Flavonol, flavone, flavanone, flavanol, anthocyanin, isoflavone and lignan intakes were calculated using Eurofir eBASIS and the polyphenol antioxidant content (PAC)-score was constructed to assess the total content of diet in these nutrients. CRP levels, WBC and PLT count and granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio were conceived as low-grade inflammation biomarkers. INFLA-score was constructed summarizing synergistic effects of these biomarkers. The INFLA-score was negatively associated with PAC-score in different levels of adjustment, in both genders (for all β-coef<0, P<0.05). 10 units increase in PAC-score was associated with 5-8% decrease in the likelihood of higher low-grade inflammation status (i.e. higher quartile of INFLA-score) in men and women (odds ratio [ORs] 0.92 to 0.95, p<0.05). The total variation of INFLA-score that was explained by PAC-score was estimated to be 16.7% in women and 9.1% in men (%R²=16.7 and 9.1). In conclusion, polyphenol content of diet evaluated in a holistic approach was negatively associated with a score of low-grade inflammation biomarkers in a large population based study. For the first time low-grade inflammation was evaluated in a holistic way through INFLA-score and was associated with polyphenol content of diet.

Phytoestrogens dietary intake and health status of retiree from middle-north Slovakia region

Phytoestrogens found in foods of plant origin presents chemical substances that possess a wide range of biochemical benefits. It has been found that they contribute in different health related problems. A wide range of commonly consumed foods contain appreciable amounts of phytoestrogens. Consumption of diet rich to phytoestrogen acts as a protective factor against many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, post-menopausal symptoms in the context of osteoporosis, cancerous illnesses of colon, prostate and breast. Three main classes of phytoestrogens covers: isoflavones, lignans and coumestans. Selected nine major phytoestrogens had been analyzed simultaneously in the same foods. Questionnaire designed to determine intake frequency as well as amount of selected foods and the most common diseases presented in the population has been used to find relationships between dietary habits and health status. Evaluation of selected goals in the present study has been realized in cooperation with 140 respondents in retired age (divided into Males - covered by 34 individuals and Females - 106 individuals), comming from middle-north Slovakia region. On the base of collected data it can be concluded, that evaluated population is presented by high values of lignans intake and particularly secoisolariciresinol, mainly caused by relative high proportion of cereals and linseed in the diet. Furthermore, the relationship between phytoestrogens intake and eating habits as well as its contribution in protection against selected diseases was demonstrated.

Lignan and Flavonoid Intakes are Associated with Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in Southern Chinese Adult Men

Lignan and Flavonoid Intakes are Associated with Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in Southern Chinese Adult Men

Flavonoid and lignan intake in a Mediterranean population: proposal for a holistic approach in polyphenol dietary analysis, the Moli-sani Study.

The objective of this study is to extract and assess data on the dietary intake of flavonoids and lignans in a healthy free-living Mediterranean population, using newly updated harmonized European Union food composition data. This work also aimed at analyzing in a holistic way the total content of the diet in major classes of polyphenols. Six thousand nine hundred and eighty-one men and 7048 women (aged ⩾ 35 years) of the Moli-sani cohort, randomly recruited from the general population, were analyzed. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) and Nutrition-Food Frequency Questionnaire was used for dietary assessment. The polyphenol content of each food group was evaluated using Eurofir BioActive Substances in Food Information System and the United States Department of Agriculture food composition tables (FCTs), when data were missing. Flavonol, flavone, flavanone, flavanol, anthocyanin, isoflavone and lignan intakes were calculated and polyphenol antioxidant content (PAC) score (-28, 28) constructed, to assess the total content of the diet in these nutrients. Seasonal and citrus fruits, leafy, grain, pod and root vegetables, and onions and garlic accounted for different proportions (11-70%) of the total intake of different polyphenols. Within the Moli-sani population, men or older, or no/former smokers, or physically active or obese/overweight individuals presented higher consumption of flavonoids, lignans and PAC score (P for all <0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that PAC score and its seven components were positively associated with Mediterranean diet (MeD) adherence in both genders (β-coefficient >0, P<0.001). In addition, 1 unit increase in PAC score was associated with 7.1-7.8% increase in the likelihood of high MeD adherence (P<0.001). The intake of flavonoids and lignans in an European Union population was calculated using harmonized European Union FCT data. In addition, a holistic approach in dietary analysis of polyphenol intake was proposed.

Pre-diagnostic polyphenol intake and breast cancer survival: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

The aim was to investigate the association between pre-diagnostic intakes of polyphenol classes (flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and other polyphenols) in relation to breast cancer survival (all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality). We used data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Pre-diagnostic usual diet was assessed using dietary questionnaires, and polyphenol intakes were estimated using the Phenol-Explorer database. We followed 11,782 breast cancer cases from time of diagnosis until death, end of follow-up or last day of contact. During a median of 6years, 1482 women died (753 of breast cancer). We related polyphenol intake to all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality using Cox proportional hazard models with time since diagnosis as underlying time and strata for age and country. Among postmenopausal women, an intake of lignans in the highest versus lowest quartile was related to a 28% lower risk of dying from breast (adjusted model: HR, quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, 0.72, 95% CI 0.53; 0.98). In contrast, in premenopausal women, a positive association between lignan intake and all-cause mortality was found (adjusted model: HR, quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, 1.63, 95% CI 1.03; 2.57). We found no association for other polyphenol classes. Intake of lignans before breast cancer diagnosis may be related to improved survival among postmenopausal women, but may on the contrary worsen the survival for premenopausal women. This suggests that the role of phytoestrogens in breast cancer survival is complex and may be dependent of menopausal status.

Dietary flavonoids, lignans and colorectal cancer prognosis.

Flavonoids and lignans are polyphenol classes with anticarcinogenic activities against colorectal cancer (CRC). However, very limited epidemiological evidence exists on their effects on CRC prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between flavonoid and lignan intakes with the risk of CRC recurrence and overall survival in CRC patients. The study followed incident histologically confirmed CRC cases in Barcelona (Spain). Validated dietary questionnaires and lifestyle information were collected at recruitment. An ad hoc food composition database on flavonoids and lignans was compiled by using data from the US Department of Agriculture and Phenol-Explorer databases. Adjusted hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox models. After 8.6 years of mean follow-up, 133 of 409 (32.5%) participants died and 77 of 319 (24.1%) had a CRC recurrence. Total flavonoids were associated neither with CRC recurrence (HR comparing extreme tertiles 1.13, 95% CI 0.64–2.02; P-trend 0.67) nor with overall survival (HRT3vsT1 1.06, 95% CI 0.69–1.65; P-trend 0.78) in the multivariable models. No associations were also observed with either total lignans or any flavonoid subclass intake. In conclusion, the results of the current study do not support a role of flavonoid and lignan intake in the CRC prognosis.

Intake of selected bioactive compounds from plant food supplements containing fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) among Finnish consumers

The purpose of this study was to estimate the intake of selected bioactive compounds from fennel-containing plant food supplements (PFS) among Finnish consumers. The estimated average intake of estragole was 0.20mg/d, of trans-anethole 1.15mg/d, of rosmarinic acid 0.09mg/d, of p-coumaric acid 0.0068mg/d, of kaempferol 0.0034mg/d, of luteolin 0.0525μg/d, of quercetin 0.0246mg/d, of matairesinol 0.0066μg/d and of lignans 0.0412μg/d. The intakes of kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, matairesinol and lignans from PFS were low in comparison with their dietary supply. The intake of estragole was usually moderate, but a heavy consumption of PFS may lead to a high intake of estragole. The intake of trans-anethole did not exceed the acceptable daily intake, but PFS should be taken into account when assessing the total exposure. To our knowledge, this study provided the first intake estimates of trans-anethole, p-coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid in human populations.