Intake of dietary polyphenolic compounds and risk of acute coronary heart syndrome. Use of a new biomarker in a nested case-control study

Heart disease is the primary cause of death in the Western world. It is well known that the disease can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. There is strong evidence that a high intake of fruits and vegetables protect against heart disease, and it is thought that it is the high content of polyphenols in fruits and vegetables that are responsible for the protective effects.

We have recently developed and validated a new biomarker for intake of dietary polyphenols. By use of this biomarker, we are investigating the potential associations between intake of polyphenols and the development of acute coronary heart syndrome in the Danish follow-up study Diet, Cancer and Health.