Tea Flavonoids May Protect Against Atherosclerosis

Abstract

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL studies have reported a reduced risk of coronary heart disease in subjects with a high flavonoid intake.^1-3 The protective effect of flavonoids, in particular the subgroup of flavonols, has been attributed to antioxidative activity.^4-6 Quercetin, for example, has been shown to inhibit oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins and the development of fatty streaks in animals.^7,8 About half of the flavonol intake in Western populations is derived from black tea. We investigated the association of aortic atherosclerosis, a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk,^9-11 with intake of tea in 3454 participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study.