Mahdieh Golzarand - Researcher, Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center AND Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Parvin Mirmiran - Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology AND National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Bahadoran - Researcher, Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center AND Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shahram Alamdari - Associate Professor, Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fereidoun Azizi - Professor, Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND: High intakes of phytochemical-rich foods have beneficial effects on lipid profiles and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we assessed the association between the dietary phytochemical index (PI) and changes in lipid profile after ۳-year follow-up among Iranian adults. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted in ۱۹۸۳ subjects, aged ۱۹-۷۰ years, selected among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Dietary data were collected by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with ۱۶۸ food items at baseline. PI was calculated based on daily energy derived from [(phytochemical-rich foods kcal/total daily energy intake kcal) × ۱۰۰]. Lipid profile was measured at baseline and after ۳ years and changes in serum lipid profiles were assessed during ۳-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was ۴۰.۴ ± ۱۳.۰ years; participants in the highest PI quartile category were more likely to be older. After ۳ years of follow-up, total cholesterol was significantly lower in the highest quartile compared with lower quartile of PI in men (۱۸۱ ± ۳ vs. ۱۸۹ ± ۳, P for trend <۰.۰۵). There were significant inverse association between dietary PI and ۳ years changes of total cholesterol [β: −۵.۶, ۹۵% confidence interval (CI) = −۹.۳, −۱.۸], triglycerides (β = −۱۳.۷, ۹۵% CI = −۲۴.۶, −۲.۸), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (β = −۶.۲, ۹۵% CI = −۱۰.۸, −۱.۵), in highest quartile of PI in men. Lipid profiles showed no significant changes over the study period in women. CONCLUSION: Higher dietary PI is associated with ۳ years improvement of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-C. Higher consumption of phytochemical-rich foods is recommended to prevent CVD.   Keywords: Phytochemical, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Fruit and vegetables, Whole Grains