INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies evaluating the association of flavonoids intake with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) have produced inconsistent results. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence from prospective cohort studies regarding the association between flavonoids intake and risk of CHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pertinent studies were identified by searching Web of Knowledge, Pubmed and Wan Fang Med Online up to April 2014. Fixed-effect or random-effect model was used to combine the results based on the heterogeneity. Dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline. Publication bias was estimated using Begg' funnel plot and Egger's regression asymmetry test. RESULTS: Fourteen articles with 15 prospective studies involving 7,233 CHD cases and 452,564 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results suggested that highest flavonoids intake versus lowest intake was significantly associated with the risk of CHD [summary relative risk (RR) = 0.850, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.794-0.910, I(2) = 26.0%, τ(2) = 0.041]. Inverse associations were found both in Europe and in USA. Linear dose-response relationship was found between flavonoids intake and CHD risk. However, no significant association was found through the dose-response analysis (an increment of 20 mg/day, summary incidence rate ratios (IRR) = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.88-1.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results from this meta-analysis suggested that elevated flavonoids intake might have a protective effect on CHD.