Study Finds Fewer Than 1 in 5 Get 500mg of Heart-Healthy Flavanols Daily

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8

30,000 people in the US and UK were tracked in a Food and Function study, which found fewer than one in five consume about 500mg of flavanols a day—an intake linked to better heart and blood-vessel health.
Urine biomarkers and diet records showed that even some people meeting five-a-day targets still fell short, suggesting food choice matters more than total fruit-and-vegetable portions.
Plums, cranberries, blackberries, green tea, broad beans and cherries ranked among the richest sources, while researchers said simple swaps could raise intake.
Heart specialists and the British Heart Foundation cautioned that flavanol levels vary widely by product and person, and evidence is still limited that boosting them cuts heart attacks or strokes.
The broader advice remains unchanged: eat a balanced diet with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables rather than rely on flavanol targets alone.