Abstract/Summary

Scope Increasing evidence indicates that (poly)phenol consumption may have positive effects on mental health. The aim of this study is to investigate associations between (poly)phenol consumption, circulating (poly)phenol metabolites, and mood states in a sample of healthy individuals. Methods and results We included 333 healthy individuals (40.6 ±19.9 years). Mood state was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Dietary (poly)phenol intake was calculated by matching food consumption data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer – Food Frequency Questionnaire (EPIC-FFQ) with a comprehensive in-house (poly)phenol database. A total of 102 (poly)phenol metabolites were quantified in fasting plasma and in complete 24h urine samples by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) using a validated method and authentic standards. The FFQ-estimated total dietary (poly)phenol intake ranged from 97 to 4014 mg/day (mean: 1447±864 mg/day). A higher intake of lignans, flavanones, and flavonols estimated from FFQs was associated with positive mood after adjusting for age and sex (β ranging from 0.118 to 0.134). A total of 11 urinary (poly)phenol metabolites were associated with less negative mood (β ranging from -0.387 to -0.205). No association was found between mood and plasma (poly)phenols. Conclusion Our study found that higher dietary intake of lignans, flavanones, and flavonols is associated with improved mood, while certain urinary (poly)phenol metabolites correlate with reduced negative mood in healthy individuals. The lack of associations between fasting plasma (poly)phenols and mood may be due to their transient nature in circulation compared to 24 h urinary metabolites, which reflect longer-term exposure.