Analysis of over 30,000 participants across two large cohorts reveals that following current dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake fails to deliver the 500mg daily flavanol dose proven to provide cardiovascular benefits in the COSMOS trial. Using validated biomarkers to objectively measure flavanol consumption, researchers found that fewer than 25% of people meeting standard dietary recommendations achieved this therapeutic threshold, despite higher overall diet quality scores.
This finding exposes a critical gap in nutrition policy that could impact millions seeking heart-protective benefits from plant foods. While fruits and vegetables remain essential for health, their flavanol content varies dramatically—a handful of berries delivers vastly different compounds than citrus or leafy greens. The research suggests that achieving cardioprotective flavanol levels may require targeted food choices or supplementation rather than simply increasing overall produce consumption. However, this preprint awaits peer review, and the findings rely on biomarker estimations rather than direct flavanol measurements. The implications could reshape dietary guidelines if confirmed, potentially establishing the first specific intake recommendations for this class of compounds.
