Flavonoids and Heart Health: Proceedings of the ILSI North America Flavonoids Workshop, May 31–June 1, 2005, Washington, DC1, , ,

Abstract

This article provides an overview of current research on flavonoids as presented during a workshop entitled, "Flavonoids and Heart Health," held by the ILSI North America Project Committee on Flavonoids in Washington, DC, May 31 and June 1, 2005. Because a thorough knowledge and understanding about the science of flavonoids and their effects on health will aid in establishing dietary recommendations for bioactive components such as flavonoids, a systematic review of the science of select flavonoid classes (i.e., flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins) was presented. The objectives of the workshop were to 1) present and discuss current research on flavonoid intake and the relation between flavonoids and heart health; 2) develop information that could lead to expert consensus on the state-of-the-science of dietary intake of flavonoids on heart health; and 3) summarize and prioritize the research needed to establish the relations between specific flavonoids and heart health. Presentations included the basics of the biology of flavonoids, including the types and distribution in foods, analytical methodologies used to determine the amounts in foods, the bioavailability, the consumption patterns and potential biomarkers of intake, risk assessment and safety evaluation, structure/function claims, and the proposed mechanism(s) of the relation between certain flavonoids and heart health endpoints. Data presented support the concept that certain flavonoids in the diet can be associated with significant health benefits, including heart health. Research gaps were identified to help advance the science.

The effect of crataegus fruit extract and some of its flavonoids on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the heart

“…Since the daily dietary flavonoid intake (1) varies considerably in different populations (65-250 mg/day -for Western populations) (Erdman et al, 2007) and, in addition, (2) there exist very large blood, tissue and species differences with regard to the distribution and concentrations of flavonoids and its metabolites (de Boer et al, 2005), including differences in plasma half-life for these compounds in various species, differences in the background concentrations of flavonoids in the cells should be expected. Accordingly, it should entail the differences in the effect of CE on various subjects and tissues.…”

ApoE genotype: from geographic distribution to function and responsiveness to dietary factors

“…Flavonoids are a large group of secondary plant metabolites with >6000 distinct flavonoids identified to date (107) . Epidemiological studies, together with data from animal models and some clinical trials, suggest a role of dietary flavonoids in the prevention of CVD and other age-related chronic diseases (108)(109)(110) .…”

Enriched cereal bars are more effective in increasing plasma quercetin compared with quercetin from powder-filled hard capsules

“…Key words: Quercetin: Bioavailability: Onions: Human studies Quercetin (3,3 0 ,4 0 ,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is one of the major flavonoids, ubiquitously distributed in edible plants (1) . Epidemiological studies, together with data from animal models and some clinical trials, may suggest a role of flavonoids in general and of quercetin in particular in the prevention of CVD and other age-related chronic diseases (2) .…”

“…The c max values for isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were four and nine times higher after ingestion of quercetin by quercetin-enriched cereal bars than after ingestion by quercetin capsules. In conclusion, quercetin from quercetin-enriched cereal bars is significantly more bioavailable than from quercetin powder-filled hard capsules.Key words: Quercetin: Bioavailability: Onions: Human studies Quercetin (3,3 0 ,4 0 ,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is one of the major flavonoids, ubiquitously distributed in edible plants (1) . Epidemiological studies, together with data from animal models and some clinical trials, may suggest a role of flavonoids in general and of quercetin in particular in the prevention of CVD and other age-related chronic diseases (2) .…”