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Title: Recommendations on reporting requirements for flavonoids in research

Author
item BALENTINE, DOUGLAS - Unilever Research Laboratories
item DWYER, JOHANNA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item ERDMAN, JOHN - University Of Illinois
item GAINE, COURTNEY - International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
item Harnly, James - Jim
item KWIK-URIBE, CATERINE - Mars, Inc

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2015
Publication Date: 4/8/2015
Citation: Balentine, D.A., Dwyer, J.T., Erdman, J.W., Gaine, C., Harnly, J.M., Kwik-Uribe, C.L. 2015. Recommendations on reporting requirements for flavonoids in research. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 101:1113-1125.

Interpretive Summary: Over the past decade, an increasing number of observational and intervention-based human studies have been published highlighting a beneficial role of flavonoids to human health. Despite these studies, it is not yet possible to make clear dietary recommendations with regard to the types and amounts of flavonoids to be consumed. This may be due in part to the diversity in structure and chemical characteristics of flavonoids. The inherent diversity of flavonoids lends itself to errors in reporting the types and/or amounts of flavonoids consumed, as well as incomplete recognition of requirements for studies that aim to elucidate their benefits to human health. Thus, there is a pressing need to understand these limitations and to provide general recommendations for future research. With a focus on human studies, this paper aims to 1) outline some of the limitations commonly encountered in the field of flavonoid research, including the inconsistent use of nomenclature, inappropriate analytical methodologies, inconsistent use of existing flavonoid databases, and the lack of full considerations in the design of test materials used in intervention trials; and 2) provide guidance for future studies, both observational and intervention trials. The adoption of this guidance may make it possible to mor

Technical Abstract: Over the past decade, an increasing number of observational and intervention-based human studies have been published highlighting a beneficial role of flavonoids to human health. Despite these studies, it is not yet possible to make clear dietary recommendations with regard to the types and amounts of flavonoids to be consumed. This may be due in part to the diversity in structure and chemical characteristics of flavonoids. The inherent diversity of flavonoids lends itself to errors in reporting the types and/or amounts of flavonoids consumed, as well as incomplete recognition of requirements for studies that aim to elucidate their benefits to human health. Thus, there is a pressing need to understand these limitations and to provide general recommendations for future research. With a focus on human studies, this paper aims to 1) outline some of the limitations commonly encountered in the field of flavonoid research, including the inconsistent use of nomenclature, inappropriate analytical methodologies, inconsistent use of existing flavonoid databases, and the lack of full considerations in the design of test materials used in intervention trials; and 2) provide guidance for future studies, both observational and intervention trials. The adoption of this guidance may make it possible to more quickly establish clear dietary recommendations regarding the intake of flavonoids.