Lignan intake helps prevent CVD, cancer deaths in diabetic adults

Increased consumption of lignans, specifically secoisolariciresinol (SECO), results in a significant reduction in overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), a study has shown. 

A total of 8,465 incident T2D cases, contributing 116,026 person-years of follow-up, were assessed in this study. Overall, 4,372 deaths occurred, including 1,318 from CVD and 752 from cancer. 

Individuals with T2D in the highest quintile of postdiagnosis lignan intake, compared with those in the lowest quintile, had a reduced risk of all-cause mortality (total lignans: hazard ratio [HR], 0.83, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.94; matairesinol [MAT]: HR, 0.89, 95 percent CI, 0.80–0.99; SECO: HR, 0.78, 95 percent CI, 0.69–0.87; pinoresinol: HR, 0.91, 95 percent CI, 0.81–1.01; lariciresinol: HR, 0.92, 95 percent CI, 0.82–1.03). 

Notably, higher postdiagnosis intake of SECO correlated with a significantly decreased mortality due to CVD and cancer. 

In addition, changes in lignan intake from pre- to postdiagnosis demonstrated similar associations (total lignans: HR, 0.83, 95 percent CI, 0.75–0.93; MAT: HR, 0.86, 95 percent CI, 0.77–0.96; SECO: HR, 0.81, 95 percent CI, 0.72–0.90). 

“The associations of lignan intake were significantly stronger among nonwhite individuals,” according to the researchers. 

“Minority groups may particularly benefit from lignan intake, although further studies are warranted to substantiate this observation,” they said. 

This study examined data from two prospective US cohorts: the Nurses’ Health Study (1984–2020) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986–2022). Researchers calculated the mean daily intake of total and individual lignans, then cumulatively averaged the postdiagnosis lignan consumption. They estimated HRs and 95 percent CIs for the associations between lignan intake and mortality using multivariable-adjusted Cox models. 

“Lignans are polyphenolic compounds abundant in plant-based foods such as seeds, whole grains, and certain fruits and vegetables and may lead to favourable metabolic health,” the researchers said.