Avocado Consumption and Markers of Inflammation: Results From The Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

OBJECTIVES: Since an association of avocado consumption has been linked to a possible reduction in inflammation, we investigated associations between avocado consumption and markers of inflammation in a population-based multi-ethnic cohort (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)). METHODS: A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at MESA exam 1 was used to capture avocado/guacamole consumption. To calculate daily servings of avocado/guacamole, we used both frequency and serving size data from the FFQ. We classified participants into three consumer groups: rare or never (daily serving ≤ 0.03; less than 1 per month), medium (0.03 < daily serving < 0.082; ∼1–2 per month), and heavy (0.082 ≤ daily serving; more than 2–3 per month). Inflammation was estimated by natural log-transformed inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-2, IL-6, homocysteine, fibrinogen, TNF-a soluble receptors). We used multivariate linear regression models to assess associations while accounting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational level, income, energy intake, smoking status, physical activity, diet quality, body mass index, and diabetes type. RESULTS: Among 2,183 MESA participants, the average age and BMI were 60.8 y ± 10.2 and 28.3kg/m2 ± 5.2, respectively, and 46% of the sample were men. Participants has self-reported Hispanic (40.7%), Caucasian (36.8%), African-American (15.5%), and Chinese (7%) ancestries. Over 60% had higher than a high school education and 41.7% make $50,000 or more a year. 44% were categorized as rare of never, 31% as medium, and 25% as heavy avocado/guacamole consumers. When adjusted for relevant confounders, there were no significant differences among the three consumer groups for any inflammatory marker. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study, we did not find that consumption of avocado/guacamole was associated with levels of inflammatory markers. FUNDING SOURCES: Supported by contracts HHSN268201500003I, N01-HC-95,159, N01-HC-95,160, N01-HC-95,161, N01-HC-95,162, N01-HC-95,163, N01-HC-95,164, N01-HC-95,165, N01-HC-95,166, N01-HC-95,167, N01-HC-95,168 and N01-HC-95,169 from NHLBI, and by grants UL1-TR-000,040, UL1-TR-001,079, and UL1-TR-001,420 from NCATS. The authors thank the other MESA investigators, staff, and participants for their valuable contributions. http://www.mesa-nhlbi.org provides a list of MESA investigators and institutions.