Avocado consumption and markers of inflammation: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Abstract

Purpose: Since 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: We used a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at MESA exam 1 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), medium (0.03 < daily serving < 0.1), and heavy (0.1 ≤ daily serving). Inflammation was estimated by natural log-transformed inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-2, IL-6, homocysteine, fibrinogen, TNF-a soluble receptors). We used multivariate general linear regression models to assess associations 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 5794 MESA participants, the average age and BMI were 62.25 y ± 10.26 and 28.28 ± 5.41 kg/m2, respectively, and 48% of the sample were men. Participants self-reported as Hispanic (22.30%), Caucasian (39.92%), African-American (25.39%), and Chinese (12.39%). Over 60% had higher than a high school education and 40% made $50,000 or more a year. Regarding avocado/guacamole consumption, 79% were categorized as rare or never, 12% as medium, and 9% as heavy. When adjusted for relevant confounders, there were no significant differences among the three consumer groups for any inflammatory marker. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, we did not find that consumption of avocado/guacamole was associated with levels of inflammatory markers.