Low polyphenol intake among highly scholarity population: CUME cohort

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Dietary Assessment
• Public Health Nutrition

Background:

• Dietary polyphenol intake lacks established daily recommendations, making population comparisons challenging.
• Understanding polyphenol consumption patterns is crucial for public health initiatives.
• Brazilian graduates and postgraduates represent a specific demographic for dietary analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the total dietary intake of polyphenols, their classes, and primary food sources among Brazilian graduates and postgraduates.
• To compare polyphenol intake within this population and with international benchmarks.
• To inform future recommendations for polyphenol consumption.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing baseline data from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project).
• Quantitative food frequency questionnaire (144 items) assessed food consumption.
• Polyphenol intake calculated using Phenol-Explorer, USDA database, and literature data.

Main Results:

• Median total polyphenol intake was 753.41 mg/day, with phenolic acids (552.30 mg/d) and flavonoids (154.70 mg/d) being the most consumed classes.
• Primary food sources identified: coffee, peanuts, beans, and fruits.
• Lower total polyphenol intake was observed compared to populations in developed countries.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a lower dietary polyphenol intake in Brazilian graduates and postgraduates, resembling patterns in developed countries.
• Disseminating nutritional information to promote whole food consumption is essential.
• Further research is recommended to establish daily polyphenol intake recommendations and assess health impacts.