Association between Higher Intake of Flavonols and Lignans and Better Mood: Evidence from Dietary and Biomarker Evaluation in Healthy Individuals

Scope: The aim of this study is to investigate associations between (poly)phenol consumption, circulating (poly)phenol metabolites, and mood states in healthy individuals. Methods and results: The study included 333 healthy individuals. Mood state was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule questionnaire. Dietary (poly)phenol intake was estimated matching food consumption data collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire(FFQ) with a comprehensive in-house (poly)phenol database. A total of 102 (poly)phenol metabolites were quantified in fasting plasma and 24 h urine samples by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry using a validated method. A higher intake of lignans, flavanones, and flavonols estimated from FFQs was associated with positive mood after adjusting for age and sex (β: 0.118 to 0.134). A total of 11 urinary (poly)phenol metabolites, including lignan and flavonol metabolites were associated with less negative mood (β: −0.387 to −0.205). No association was found between mood and plasma (poly)phenols. Conclusion: A higher consumption of lignans flavanones and flavonols is associated with a better mood, while certain urinary metabolites are associated with less negative mood. The lack of associations between fasting plasma (poly)phenols and mood may be due to their transient nature incirculation compared with 24 h urinary metabolites, which reflect longer-term exposure.