Higher intake of phytochemical-rich foods may lower some risk factors of CVD: Study

A study conducted by a group of researchers from Tehran, Iran, to evaluate the association between the dietary phytochemical index and cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with type1 diabetes mellitus.

This was a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between DPI and CVD risk factors. The researchers selected a total of 261 participants between the age group of 18 to 35 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Anthropometric measurements, blood lipids, glucose, and antioxidant level were measured. Food intakes were determined using a food frequency questionnaire to calculate dietary phytochemical index (DPI). Logistic regression was utilized.

The results of the study are as follows:

· The mean age of participants was 25 years.

· Participants in the highest tertile of DPI had 88 % lower chance of hyperglycemia, 81 % lower chance of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and a 98 % lower chance of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, after adjustment for potential confounders.

· Also, there were no relationships between DPI and other CVD risk factors.

The researchers concluded that though a higher intake of phytochemical-rich foods was useful to reduce some risk factors of CVD, more and more research in the future is needed to confirm the present findings.

Reference

A study titled, "Dietary phytochemical index associated with the cardiovascular risk factor in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus" by published in the BMC Cardiovasc Disord.

DOI: 10.1186/s12872-021-02106-2