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Updated: May 14, 2026
06:35
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test
Published on: April 27, 2016
Habitual flavonoid intake and endothelial function in healthy humans.
Naomi D L Fisher1, Shelley Hurwitz, Norman K Hollenberg
1Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. nfisher@partners.org
Journal of the American College of Nutrition
|February 5, 2013
Summary
Healthy older adults with higher flavonoid intake showed better endothelial function. This suggests daily flavonoid consumption, likely from fruits and vegetables, influences vascular health and nitric oxide production.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Science
- Aging Research
Background:
- Endothelial function exhibits significant population-level variation.
- Habitual dietary intake is a potential determinant of this variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that dietary flavonoids significantly influence endothelial function.
- To investigate the relationship between flavonoid consumption and vascular health in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Analytical study involving 19 healthy older adults (mean age 72).
- Assessed habitual flavonoid intake using a food frequency questionnaire.
- Measured endothelial function via reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) response to flavonoid-rich cocoa.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation (r=0.7, p=0.001) was found between habitual flavonoid intake and RH-PAT response.
- Higher flavonoid consumers demonstrated significantly greater endothelial function.
- PAT response correlated with blood flavanol concentration (r=0.5, p=0.03).
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in endothelial function among older adults are strongly linked to daily flavonoid intake.
- Dietary flavonoids, particularly from fruits and vegetables, may dictate basal endothelial function.
- Flavonoid-mediated effects on nitric oxide are a likely mechanism influencing vascular health.
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