Researchers from King's College London report that long-term consumption of foods rich in polyphenols, such as tea, coffee and berries, is associated with improved markers of heart health. In a study of more than 3,100 adults followed for over a decade, higher adherence to polyphenol-rich dietary patterns was linked to healthier blood pressure and cholesterol levels and lower predicted cardiovascular disease risk.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine analyzed data from the TwinsUK cohort, tracking more than 3,100 adults for over 10 years. The research, led by King's College London, focused on polyphenols, natural plant compounds found in everyday foods such as tea, coffee, berries, cocoa, nuts, whole grains and olive oil.
According to King's College London, participants with higher adherence to polyphenol-rich dietary patterns had healthier blood pressure and cholesterol profiles, which contributed to lower predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores.
To assess intake, the team used a newly designed polyphenol dietary score (PPS) reflecting consumption of 20 common polyphenol-rich foods in the UK, including tea, coffee, berries, olive oil, nuts and whole grains. The PPS showed stronger associations with cardiovascular health than estimates of total polyphenol intake, suggesting that the measure may better capture overall dietary patterns rather than the effects of individual compounds.
The researchers also examined a wide range of urine metabolites produced when the body processes polyphenols. Higher levels of these biomarkers, particularly those linked to flavonoids and phenolic acids, were associated with lower CVD risk scores and higher levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol.
The study found that although cardiovascular risk generally increases with age, participants with more polyphenol-rich diets experienced a slower rise in risk across the roughly 11-year follow-up period.
Professor Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, senior author and Professor of Human Nutrition at King's College London, said: "Our findings show that long-term adherence to polyphenol-rich diets can substantially slow the rise in cardiovascular risk as people age. Even small, sustained shifts towards foods like berries, tea, coffee, nuts, and whole grains may help protect the heart over time."
Dr. Yong Li, the study's first author, added: "This research provides strong evidence that regularly including polyphenol-rich foods in your diet is a simple and effective way to support heart health. These plant compounds are widely available in everyday foods, making this a practical strategy for most people."
The authors emphasise that the findings are based on observational data and call for future dietary intervention trials to confirm causality and explore how polyphenol-rich diets might be used more broadly in cardiovascular disease prevention.
