Cruciferous vegetable intake is inversely associated with extensive abdominal aortic calcification in elderly women: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

We have previously shown higher intake of cruciferous vegetables is inversely associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness. To further test the hypothesis that an increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with reduced indicators of structural vascular disease in other areas of the vascular tree, we aimed to investigate the cross-sectional association between cruciferous vegetable intake and extensive calcification in the abdominal aorta. Dietary intake was assessed, using a food frequency questionnaire, in 684 older women from the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study. Cruciferous vegetables included cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was scored using the Kauppila AAC24 scale on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) lateral spine images, and was categorised as “not extensive” (0-5) or “extensive” (≥6). Mean age was 74.9 (SD 2.6) y, median cruciferous vegetable intake was 28.2 (IQR 15.0-44.7) g/d, and 128/684 (18.7%) women had extensive AAC scores. Those with higher intakes of cruciferous vegetables (>44.6 g/d) were associated with a 46% lower odds of having extensive AAC in comparison to those with lower intakes (<15.0 g/d) after adjustment for lifestyle, dietary and cardiovascular disease risk factors (ORQ4 vs Q1=0.54, 95%CI 0.30, 0.97, P=0.036). Total vegetable intake and each of the other vegetable types were not related to extensive AAC (P>0.05 for all). This study strengthens the hypothesis that higher intake of cruciferous vegetables may protect against vascular calcification.

Higher Habitual Dietary Flavonoid Intake Associates With Less Extensive Abdominal Aortic Calcification in a Cohort of Older Women

“…13 We have also seen cruciferous vegetables, another contributor to flavonoid intake, associates with lower odds of extensive AAC in this cohort. 14 In our current analysis of the PLSAW cohort, we build upon our prior research, finding higher black tea intake also associates with lower AAC. This finding is in agreement with several cohort studies reporting higher black tea consumption associates with lower calcifications of the coronary artery, 16,17 and abdominal aorta.…”

“…13 We have also seen cruciferous vegetables, another contributor to flavonoid intake, associates with lower odds of extensive AAC in this cohort. 14 In our current analysis of the PLSAW cohort, we build upon our prior research, finding higher black tea intake also associates with lower Odds ratios are comparing the specific level of food or beverage intake (horizontal axis) to those with zero consumption set as the reference point for analyses of black tea, chocolate and fruit juice, and in the analysis of red wine, modest consumers were set as the reference group, to account for abstainer bias. 26 Horizontal axes are truncated at 2 SDs above the exposure means for visualization purposes.…”

“…23 Scores for AAC were classified as not extensive (AAC24 scores 0–5) or extensive (AAC24 scores 6–24), as scores ≥6 mark generalized atherosclerosis, 19 predict future CVD, 12 and have been previously used to investigate the cause of AAC. 13,14 In an exploratory analysis, we examined further thresholds for classifying the extent of calcification, investigating the moderate to severe AAC cut point (AAC24 ≥2) and the no versus any AAC cut point (AAC24 ≥1).…”

Dietary fiber and prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification in the United States (from the national health and nutrition examination survey data [2013–2014])

“…Another study analyzed the relationships between some food groups and AAC, and found that apple intake was an independent protective factor for AAC in older women, each additional 50 g/day apple intake resulted in a 24% lower OR of severe AAC [17]. A study found that cruciferous vegetable intake was negatively correlated with AAC [18]. Other studies have reported the effects of dietary nutritional intake, such as magnesium and zinc, on coronary artery calcification and AAC [19,20].…”

Associations of specific types of fruit and vegetables with perceived stress in adults: the AusDiab study

“…"Potato, roasted and fried, including hot chips" was excluded as these are not considered part of a healthy diet. This method of classifying vegetable types has been used extensively [35][36][37][38]. Intake for each FV type was calculated (g/day) and subsequently categorised into quartiles.…”