Dietary Flavonoid Intake and Psychological Well-Being – A Bidirectional Relationship

Authors

Alysha S. Thompson, Queen's University Belfast
Nicola P. Bondonno, Queen's University Belfast
Yan Lydia Liu, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Farah Qureshi, Johns Hopkins University
Laura D. Kubzansky, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Julia K. Boehm, Chapman UniversityFollow
Eric B. Rimm, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Aedín Cassidy, Queen's University Belfast

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-19-2026

Abstract

Background and aim

Higher dietary flavonoid intake has been associated with lower risks of mortality and major chronic disease, yet its relationship with psychological well-being (PWB), a key contributor to health and quality of life, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate bidirectional associations between dietary flavonoid intake and two PWB facets: happiness (positive emotional state) and optimism (generalized expectation of positive outcomes). Specifically, we examined whether (1) overall flavonoid-rich dietary patterns (flavodiet score), (2) intake of specific flavonoid-rich foods, and (3) total flavonoid and subclass intakes were each associated with happiness and optimism over time.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Nurses’ Health Study to form two analytical samples. Flavonoid intake measured in 1990 (n = 44,659) was examined in relation to sustained happiness (1992–2000) while intake in 2002 (n = 36,723) was analysed in relation to sustained optimism (2004–2012). Secondary analyses assessed whether higher baseline levels of each PWB facet were associated with sustained higher flavonoid intake, over up to 18 years. Associations were assessed using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Higher flavodiet scores were associated with a 3–6 % higher likelihood of sustained happiness [RR_Q4vsQ1 (95 % CI): 1.03 (1.02–1.05)] and optimism [RR_Q4vsQ1 (95 % CI): 1.06 (1.01–1.11)]. Specific flavonoid-rich foods (strawberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, blueberries) were associated with a 3–16 % greater likelihood of sustained PWB, across the two facets. Similarly, total flavonoid and subclass intakes were associated with a 2–18 % greater likelihood of sustained PWB. Women with higher baseline levels of happiness or optimism were also more likely to sustain a higher flavonoid intake.

Conclusions

Consuming ∼3 servings/day of flavonoid-rich foods is associated with sustained PWB, and higher baseline PWB is associated with sustained higher flavonoid intake over up to 18 years. This bidirectional relationship suggests that integrated interventions targeting both diet and well-being may help promote long-term health and reduce chronic disease risk.

Comments

This article was originally published in Clinical Nutrition, volume 58, in 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2026.106579

Recommended Citation

Thompson AS, Bondonno NP, Liu YL, Qureshi F, Kubzansky LD, Trudel-Fitzgerald C, Boehm JK, Rimm EB, Cassidy A. Dietary flavonoid intake and psychological well-being – a bidirectional relationship. Clin Nutr. 2026;58:106579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2026.106579

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.