Association between Phytochemical Index and Inflammation in Korean Adults

Abstract

While the relationship between phytochemicals and inflammation has been confirmed by in vivo or in vitro studies, large-scale epidemiological studies comprehensively analyzing phytochemical-rich food groups remain scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the association between the phytochemical index (PI) and the inflammation levels in Korean adults. The data were derived from the 2015–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and a total of 18,699 participants were analyzed. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels >3.0 mg/L and white blood cell (WBC) counts >10 × 103/μL were defined as “elevated.” The PI was calculated based on eight food groups using a 24-h dietary recall. The odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) for elevated hs-CRP levels and WBC counts, according to the PI quintile, were calculated using the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Participants in the higher PI group had lower means of hs-CRP levels and WBC counts than those in the lower PI group (all p for trend <0.001). In fully adjusted logistic regression models, elevated hs-CRP levels and WBC counts in the highest PI group were lower by 40% (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49–0.76) and 34% (OR: 0.66, CI: 0.47–0.93), respectively. Conclusions: A high consumption of phytochemical-rich foods is associated with lower inflammation. This suggests that adopting phytochemical-rich dietary patterns may be an effective approach for reducing inflammation.

Dietary phytochemical index is favorably associated with oxidative stress status and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with obesity

“…Higher amount of lycopene consumption, a kind of phytochemical, was associated with lower hs-CRP levels 33 . Kim et al reported an inverse relationship between DPI scores and the likelihood of increasing hs-CRP levels in their study of 18,699 over-19 years Koreans from 2015 to 2018 34 . Results from other studies match these current findings 33 , 35 , 36 .…”

Association between Phytochemical Index and Osteoporosis in Women: A Prospective Cohort Study in Korea

“…Using the Food Composition Table 10.0 version of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences under the Rural Development Administration and the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program 5.0 of the Korean Nutrition Society [ 36 , 37 ], we constructed an updated nutrient database of phytochemical-rich foods, which included whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts, and seaweed [ 21 , 23 , 24 , 38 ]. To calculate the PI, the total calorie intake from dietary phytochemical-rich foods was divided by the overall daily calorie intake, as previously described in the literature [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…The phytochemical index (PI) has been recently proposed as a surrogate marker to reflect the levels of phytochemical intake [ 21 , 22 ]. Several epidemiological studies have shown that higher PI is associated with a reduction in inflammation, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and stroke [ 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. A recent meta-analysis confirmed that PI is inversely associated with obesity and overweight, with higher PI levels being observed in groups with lower rates of obesity and overweight [ 27 ].…”

Association between urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and F2a-isoprostane in male football players and healthy non-athlete controls with dietary inflammatory and antioxidant indices

“…Moreover, the dietary phytochemical index (PI) is a suitable tool to evaluate the received amount of phytochemicals ( 20 ). Phytochemicals, which are bioactive chemicals in antioxidant-rich foods, as anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants, play beneficial roles in OS, immunity, and inflammation status ( 21 ).…”