Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the predominant form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a major cause of mortality globally. This study aimed to investigate the association between the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) for specific nutrients and coronary artery stenosis severity, lipid profiles, and body composition in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 612 adults (35-75 years) undergoing coronary angiography, dietary intake was assessed using a validated 178-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The INQ was calculated for various nutrients. Coronary artery stenosis was quantified using Gensini (GS) and SYNTAX (SS) scores. Results: A higher INQ for linolenic acid was significantly associated with lower odds of vascular occlusion based on SS after full adjustment (OR=0.5; 95% CI: 0.28-0.88). A higher INQ for fiber was associated with lower total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while a higher INQ for protein was associated with elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Conversely, a higher INQ for riboflavin and vitamin D was correlated with increased TC. A higher INQ for vitamin B6 was linked to increased TC, triglycerides (TG), and visceral fat, but a lower body mass index (BMI). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the quality of nutrient intake, particularly higher linolenic acid and fiber, is associated with a better cardiometabolic
profile and reduced coronary stenosis, highlighting the potential importance of nutrient quality assessment in the dietary management of CAD. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.