Flavonols are powerful antioxidants that are present in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and tea leaves.
Flavonols are a specific type of flavonoid, which are potent bioactive compounds found in almost all plant-based foods. Previous research suggested that a flavonoid-rich diet may help keep blood vessels healthy, balance cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Studies have also suggested that they may also play a role in preventing cancer by eliminating carcinogens from the body and stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading. Now, a new study has further emphasized the potential benefits of a flavonol-rich diet in reducing mortality risk from all causes, which suggests that a flavonol-rich diet may improve longevity.
The new study, published in Nature, investigated the association between the intake of dietary flavonols — isorhamnetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin — and the risk of all-cause and disease-specific mortality in adults in the United States.
A total of 11,679 participants, with an average age of 47, were evaluated for their flavonol intake and examined for disease-specific and all-cause mortality risk. The study followed participants from initial interview until death or end of study in December 2019, with a median follow-up of 7.8 years.
After adjusting for health and sociodemographic factors, the analysis revealed significant associations between total and specific flavonol intake and mortality risks from various causes.
The highest intake of dietary flavonols reduced the risk of cancer-related mortality by 55%, cardiovascular disease mortality by 33%, and risk of death from other causes by 36%.
The study results also revealed that the consumption of flavonols had a greater protective effect against all-cause mortality in those over 40 years old than in younger individuals.
These findings suggest diets rich in flavonols could significantly lower the risks of death from cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other causes among U.S. adults, particularly in mature or aging populations.
The researchers emphasized that in order to receive the maximum benefits of flavonols, individuals should increase flavonol intake through a healthy and varied diet rather than relying on supplements.