Poster Dietary Flavonoids of Spanish Youth: Intakes, Sources, and Association with the Mediterranean Diet
Abstract
Background: Plant-based diets have been linked to high diet quality and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. The healthimpact of plant-based diets might be partially explained by the concomitant intake of flavonoids. Estimation of flavonoidsintake in adults has been important for the development of dietary recommendations and interventions for the prevention ofweight gain and its consequences. However, estimation of flavonoids intake in children and adolescents is limited.
Methods: Average daily intake and sources of flavonoids were estimated for a representative national sample of 3,534 childrenand young people in Spain, aged 2–24 years. The data was collected between 1998 and 2000 by 24-h recalls. The PhenolExplorerdatabase and the USDA database on flavonoids content were used. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measuredby the KIDMED index.
Results: The mean and median intakes of total flavonoids were 70.7 and 48.1 mg/day, respectively. The most abundant flavonoidclass was flavan-3-ols (35.7%), with fruit being the top food source of flavonoids intake (42.8%). Total flavonoids intake waspositively associated with the KIDMED index (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study provide primary information about flavonoids intake and main food sources in Spanishchildren, adolescents and young adults. Participants with high daily mean intake of flavonoids have higher adherence to theMediterranean diet.