New research reveals a significant gap in heart health nutrition: most adults are not consuming enough flavanols, even those who regularly eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Flavanols are natural compounds found in foods like green tea, apples, berries, and cocoa. They are proven to improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and insulin resistance, lowering the risk of heart disease. The landmark COSMOS study established that a daily intake of 500 mg of flavanols significantly reduces cardiovascular mortality.
However, analysis of 30,000 participants in the U.S. and U.K. found that fewer than one in five reached that threshold. Even people meeting the standard “5-a-day” fruit and vegetable guidelines were falling short.
Researchers say the findings call into question the effectiveness of current dietary guidelines and emphasize the need for more rigorous, biomarker-driven nutrition trials to improve public health outcomes.