title: Recommendations on reporting requirements for flavonoids in research.
abstract: Numerous observational and intervention-based human studies support the notion of a beneficial role for dietary flavonoids in human health. Despite these studies, it is not yet possible to make dietary recommendations with regard to the types and amounts of flavonoids to be consumed. The inherent diversity of flavonoid structure, chemistry, and natural distribution in foods lends itself to errors in reporting the types and/or amounts of flavonoids consumed, as well as incomplete recognition of requirements for intervention studies that aim to assess their benefits in a clinical setting. A need exists for guidelines that facilitate the design and reporting of flavonoid research. With a focus on clinical studies, this article 1) outlines limitations commonly encountered in the field of flavonoid research, including the inconsistent use of nomenclature, inappropriate analytic methods, inconsistent use of existing flavonoid databases, and the lack of full consideration in the design of test materials for intervention trials, and 2) provides guidance for future studies with a focus on clinical intervention trials. Adoption of this guidance will facilitate more accurate and interpretable research that will support the development of dietary recommendations regarding the intake of flavonoids.
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U).
authors: Douglas A
authors: DA
authors: Balentine
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U).
authors: Johanna T
authors: JT
authors: Dwyer
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U). jwerdman@illinois.edu.
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: Erdman
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U).
authors: Mario G
authors: MG
authors: Ferruzzi
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U).
authors: P Courtney
authors: PC
authors: Gaine
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U).
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Harnly
authors: From Unilever, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (DAB); Tufts University, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Boston, MA (JTD); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL (JWE); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (MGF); The Sugar Association, Washington, DC (PCG); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD (JMH); and Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (CLK-U).
authors: Catherine L
authors: CL
authors: Kwik-Uribe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D012015:Reference Standards; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids
keywords: bioactives; guidance; intervention; polyphenols; supplements