What are they, and why are we interested? Polyphenols are a type of phytochemical and they are linked with a whole heap of health benefits. You find them in a wide range of plant-based foods; including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, chocolate, coffee and more.
Polyphenols have a few sub-classes, with flavonoids and phenolic acids being the most common. Research on supplementing them (rather than from food/drink) does not show the same benefits. So stick to getting them from your diet.
There’s a lot evidence showing specific polyphenols provide health benefits, especially for the prevention and management of certain chronic diseases. This includes reduced all-cause mortality and CVD mortality risks.
Health Benefits
One review concluded; In the result of the study, polyphenol or polyphenol-rich diets exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammation effects. Polyphenol consumption also improves developing into hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.
A study in the elderly found that regular consumption of cocoa flavanols effectively improved cognitive function in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairments. This was potentially due to the intervention improving insulin resistance.
With regards to gut health another review concluded; phenolic compounds may balance the gut microbiota and contribute to gastrointestinal health. But more research was needed, as so much with the microbiome is still unknown.
So all in all including a variety of polyphenols within you diet should help reduce your risk of developing certain diseases, and improve your health.
References: Mac Nutrition Uni, Desideri et al 2012, Ozdal et al 2016, Cory et al 2018, Rienks et al 2017, Cheng et al 2017
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