Positive Health Online

Abstract

KNEKT and colleagues, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. paul.knekt@ktl.fi have studied the relationship between intake of the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin and subsequent incidence of cerebrovascular disease (CVA).

Background

Methodology

A cohort study carried out among 9208 Finnish men and women (>15 years old) and initially free from cardiovascular disease (CVA). During a 28-year follow-up period (1967-1994), a total of 824 cases with CVA were diagnosed. Food consumption data were collected using a dietary history interview method covering the total habitual diet during the previous year.

Results

Quercetin intake was not associated with CVA incidence. The relative risk of CVA adjusted for age, serum cholesterol, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, geographical area, occupation and intake of beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, fibre, various fatty acids, and energy between the highest and lowest quartiles of quercetin intake was 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.71-1.38) for men and 0.85 (CI=0.60-1.21) for women. In contrast, apples, the major source of quercetin in the study population, showed a significant inverse association both in men and women, mainly due to an association with thrombotic or embolic stroke. The relative risks of thrombotic stroke after further adjustment for quercetin intake were 0.59 (CI=0.35-0.99; P=0.45) and 0.61 (CI=0.33-1.12: P for trend=0.02) for men and women, respectively.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the intake of apples is related to a decreased risk of thrombotic stroke. This association apparently is not due to the presence of the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin.

References

Knekt P et al. Quercetin intake and the incidence of cerebrovascular disease. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54(5): 415-7. May 2000.

Comment

It would appear that more research regarding the ubiquitous apple is warranted.