Most people are still falling short of flavanol intake levels linked with better heart health, even when they eat what many would consider a healthy diet, according to new research published on Monday, 8 June 2026.
The study, published in News-Medical, involved scientists from the University of Reading, Harvard Medical School, the University of California Davis and Mars, Inc. It tracked the diets of more than 30,000 participants across the UK and the United States using biomarker measurements.
Fruit choices may matter more than portion counts alone
Researchers found that fewer than one in five people reached the flavanol intake that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, even among those who regularly ate five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The findings suggest that not all fruit and plant foods contribute equally when it comes to flavanol intake.
Flavanols are naturally occurring compounds found in a range of plant foods, and the study points to specific choices as a practical way to raise intake. The article highlighted that including a handful of blackberries, a whole apple or a cup of green tea alongside a meal could make a difference to how much of these beneficial compounds people actually consume and absorb from the diet.
What the biomarker data showed
By using biomarker measurements rather than relying only on self-reported food intake, the research aimed to give a clearer picture of what participants were truly absorbing. That approach helped show a gap between general fruit-and-vegetable consumption and the specific intake of flavanol-rich foods.
The authors said the results reinforce a simple message for people trying to support heart health through diet: eating more produce is helpful, but choosing flavanol-rich options may matter as well. The study adds to a growing body of nutrition research focused on the quality of foods within an overall healthy diet.
While the findings are encouraging, they also suggest that public health advice may need to move beyond broad messages about fruit and vegetables alone. The research points toward more targeted dietary choices that could help people reach levels associated with cardiovascular benefit.
In practical terms, the study offers an accessible reminder that small changes can be meaningful. Swapping in specific fruits, or adding green tea with meals, may help people increase flavanol intake without major changes to their overall eating pattern.
For more details, see the original report at News-Medical.
