The study investigated the relationship between the intake of flavonoids – bioactive compounds found in fruit and vegetables – and weight development over 24 years in 124,086 men and women.
The results show that an increased intake of certain flavonoid subgroups, in particular anthocyanins, flavonols and flavonoid polymers, is associated with less weight gain. Foods such as berries, apples, pears and peppers were found to be particularly helpful.
The study is based on data from three large cohort studies (Nurses’ Health Studies and Health Professionals Follow-up Study). The participants regularly reported their diet, weight and lifestyle habits.
Although the observed weight differences are small (less than 0.5 kg over four years), even small weight controls can bring significant health benefits. The results suggest that a diet rich in flavonoids can help prevent weight gain and thus reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases.
Background:
Flavonoids are bioactive plant substances found in fruit and vegetables that can influence body weight in addition to their nutritional benefits. Studies have shown that certain flavonoid-rich foods are associated with lower weight gain. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the intake of specific flavonoid subgroups and long-term weight development.
Methodology:
The analysis is based on data from 124,086 men and women from the cohort studies Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II). Participants regularly provided information on diet, weight and lifestyle habits over a period of up to 24 years. Flavonoid intake was measured using a validated food questionnaire and weight data was tracked over four-year intervals. The analysis was performed using multivariable regression models that adjusted for lifestyle factors such as calorie intake, physical activity and smoking.
Results:
An increased intake of anthocyanins, flavonols and flavonoid polymers was significantly associated with lower weight gain. For example, additional anthocyanins of 10 mg per day resulted in an average of 0.23 pounds (about 0.1 kg) less weight gain over four years. The main sources of these flavonoids were berries, apples, pears and peppers. The associations remained significant even after adjusting for dietary fiber content.
The results show that even small amounts of flavonoid-rich foods can have a positive effect on weight. For example, half a cup of blueberries provides around 121 mg of anthocyanins, which is well above the standard deviation of 10 mg. Even small differences in weight can have significant health benefits, such as a reduced risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the importance of flavonoid-rich foods for weight maintenance and obesity prevention. It shows that a diet rich in flavonoids from fruits and vegetables can help reduce weight gain over a lifetime. This has potentially far-reaching implications for public health, particularly with regard to the prevention of chronic diseases. The findings emphasize the need to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially foods such as berries, apples, pears and peppers, which are rich in health-promoting flavonoids.