Summary
This narrative review by Rees, Dodd and Spencer, published in Nutrients in 2018, examines evidence from human intervention trials investigating how flavonoid consumption affects cardiovascular health outcomes. The paper draws on trials involving various flavonoid subclasses — including flavanols, flavonols, and anthocyanins — to assess their effects on vascular function, blood pressure, and related biomarkers. The authors extend their analysis to consider the potential relevance of these cardiovascular effects for cerebrovascular function and, by extension, cognitive health.
UK applicability
Although the review is international in scope, the University of Reading (where Spencer is based) has a strong UK research tradition in flavonoid science, and findings are broadly applicable to UK dietary guidelines and public health policy relating to fruit and vegetable consumption.
Key measures
Blood pressure (mmHg); flow-mediated dilation (%); arterial stiffness; cognitive and cerebrovascular blood flow markers; circulating lipid and inflammatory biomarkers
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence from human intervention trials on the effects of dietary flavonoids on cardiovascular endpoints, including blood pressure, endothelial function, and markers of vascular health, with additional consideration of implications for cerebrovascular function.
Topic tags
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