Dietary Antioxidant and Flavonoid Intakes Are Reduced in the Elderly

The objective of this study was to determine sources and patterns of antioxidant and flavonoid intakes in the elderly (61-74 yrs) in comparison with young (20-40 yrs) and middle age (41-60 yrs) groups in a cross-sectional study. More than 6000 subjects of both genders, aged 20-74 years, participants of the National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ) took part in this study. Daily food consumption was estimated by the single 24-hour dietary recall. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and flavonoid content (FC) were calculated according to the amount of food consumed by the participants combined with antioxidant capacity and flavonoid contents in foods. Food consumption, dietary TAC, and FC were significantly lower in the elderly, especially elderly women in comparison to the young and middle age groups. The consumption of tea, coffee, and apples was associated with the largest contribution to dietary TAC and FC in all participants. Despite high nutrient density of the energy-adjusted diet of ageing people, the elderly consumed the lowest amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids due to the lowest food intake.