Narrative review maps plant bioactive intake across 26 European countries

This is a narrative review that comprehensively evaluates the dietary intake of plant bioactives—including polyphenols, terpenoids, N-containing compounds, and miscellaneous phytochemicals—in the European adult population. Data were drawn from 38,944 individuals across 26 European countries, using public data sources. The review aims to consolidate fragmented information on bioactive intake, which has been scattered across different phytochemical families and populations.

The authors report that the current scientific literature on plant bioactive intake is fragmented, with partial knowledge of dietary bioactive intake and health effects. They highlight a lack of harmonised figures across populations and phytochemical families, which limits the ability to draw firm conclusions. No pooled effect sizes, p-values, or confidence intervals are reported, as this is a qualitative synthesis rather than a meta-analysis.

Key limitations acknowledged by the authors include the fragmented nature of the information, partial knowledge of dietary bioactive intake and health effects, and the absence of harmonised figures across populations and phytochemical families. The review is observational in nature, reporting associations rather than causation. The authors caution against inferring health effects from intake data or recommending dietary changes based on this review.

In terms of practice relevance, this review sets the stage for future research in nutrition and health fields by providing a baseline assessment of plant bioactive intake across Europe. However, clinicians should recognize that the evidence is insufficient to guide specific dietary recommendations or clinical decisions at this time.