This cross-sectional analysis measured plasma boron by ICP-MS in 899 adults from a population-based cohort in northern Germany and related it to diet scores and cardio-metabolic traits. A dietary pattern high in fruits, nuts and seeds, tea and wine and low in bread, poultry, processed meat, sweets and soft drinks explained about 30% of the variation in plasma boron. Higher plasma boron went with lower BMI, lower CRP and plasma lipids, older age and higher phosphate, and was higher in summer than in winter.
Key numbers
- Plasma boron, all participants (n = 899): median 33.80 µg/L (IQR 25.61 to 44.65) (Abstract; Table 1, p. 5).
- Tertile cut points: 28.26 µg/L or less (T1), above 28.26 to 40.28 µg/L (T2), 40.29 µg/L or more (T3); T3 median 51.06 µg/L (IQR 44.64 to 61.30) (Table 1, p. 5).
- Seasonal medians: spring 33.8 µg/L (n = 167), summer 36.9 µg/L (n = 168), autumn 35.4 µg/L (n = 224), winter 31.4 µg/L (n = 340); P = 0.002 (Table 2, p. 6).
- Each 10-point increment in the overall, healthy and unhealthy plant-based diet indices was associated with 8.7%, 10.4% and -8.8% change in plasma boron (Abstract).
- The reduced rank regression pattern explained 30% of plasma boron variation (Abstract).
- Background statements: EU dietary boron intakes of 0.8 to 1.9 mg/day and an adult upper intake level of 20 mg/day, both cited from other literature (Introduction, p. 2).
Methods (brief)
Lithium-heparin plasma from the 2010 to 2012 follow-up examination was microwave-digested with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and analyzed by ICP-MS (iCAP Q, collision/reaction cell, rhodium internal standard) following DIN EN ISO 17294-2. Diet was assessed with a validated 112-item food frequency questionnaire; plant-based diet indices and a reduced rank regression pattern served as proxies for boron intake. Multivariable linear regression assessed correlates.
Evidence fitness
Supports a reference distribution of plasma boron in older German adults and the observation that plasma boron tracks plant-rich diets and season. It does not support measured dietary boron intake (no food boron database was used) or causal health effects.
Limitations
Cross-sectional and observational; residual confounding by other food constituents cannot be excluded. Dietary boron intake was not calculated. The food questionnaire covers a year while circulating boron reflects recent intake. Funding was open-access support only; no conflicts were declared.
Related evidence
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