Polyphenols and Cardiometabolic Health: Knowledge and Concern among Romanian People

by Ioana Mariana Has ¹, Bernadette-Emőke Teleky^2,3, Dan-Cristian Vodnar ^2,3, Bianca Eugenia Stefănescu ^2,*, Delia Mirela Tit ^4,*and Maria Nițescu ⁵

¹Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
²Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

³Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

⁴Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 29 N. Jiga St., 410028 Oradea, Romania

⁵Department of Preclinical–Complementary Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania

^*Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Nutrients 2023, 15(10), 2281; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102281

Received: 27 April 2023 / Revised: 5 May 2023 / Accepted: 8 May 2023 / Published: 12 May 2023

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Patterns, Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Diseases)

Abstract

The cardiometabolic health of the population is a crucial indicator of public health, con-
sidering the significant impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes on global mortality. Determining the population’s knowledge and the predictors of these pathologies is essential in developing effective educational and clinical strategies for the prevention and management of car-
diometabolic risk (CMR). Polyphenols are natural compounds with a multitude of beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. This study explored the current knowledge, understanding, and awareness
of CMR, the benefits of polyphenols among Romanians, and how sociodemographic and clinical
characteristics influence this aspect. Five hundred forty-six subjects responded anonymously to an
online questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge. The data were collected and analyzed based on gender, age, education level, and BMI status. Most respondents expressed concern to a great or very great extent about their health (78%) and food (60%), with significant differences (p < 0.05) depending on age, educational level, and BMI status. Of the respondents, 64.8% declared that they were familiar with the CMR term. Still, the results showed a weak correlation between the stated
risk factors and the self-assessment of increased risk (r = 0.027) for CVD or diabetes. Only 35% of the
respondents reported a good or very good knowledge of the term “polyphenols”, 86% recognized
the antioxidant effect, and significantly fewer (26%) recognized the prebiotic effect. Developing and
implementing targeted educational strategies to enhance learning and individual behaviors related
to CMR factors and the benefits of polyphenols is necessary.

Keywords: polyphenols; cardiovascular disease; population behavior; education; obesity; awareness

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