Dietary Flavonols Intake and Alveolar Bone Loss: Insights From a Cross‐Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND: Alveolar bone resorption is typically associated with aging or chronic inflammation, while flavonols intake is known for its extensive anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the relationship between them remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between dietary flavonol intake and alveolar bone loss. METHODS: Using 2009-2010 NHANES data, this cross-sectional study analyzed 2-day dietary recalls of flavonols (isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol) and alveolar bone loss-defined as teeth with bone loss exceeding 5 mm. Analyses included descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and threshold analysis, all adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Among 1616 participants, severe alveolar bone loss was more common in older males and associated with lower quercetin or isorhamnetin intake and lower education levels. Quercetin and isorhamnetin consistently showed an inverse relationship with severe bone loss across regression and subgroup analyses. Kaempferol intake exhibited a U-shaped association with alveolar bone loss, which was more pronounced in males. CONCLUSION: Higher intake of isorhamnetin or quercetin was associated with lower levels of alveolar bone loss, whereas the association for kaempferol was more complex and requires consideration of intake dose.