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The role of polyphenols in modern nutrition
Open accessAbstract
Abstract Polyphenols are found in plant‐based foods and beverages, notably apples, berries, citrus fruit, plums, broccoli, cocoa, tea and coffee and many others. There is substantial epidemiological evidence that a diet high in polyphenol‐rich fruit, vegetables, cocoa and beverages protects against developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The absorption and metabolism of these compounds have been well described and, for many, the gut microbiota play a critical role in absorption; taking into consideration the parent compound and the metabolites from colon bacteria catabolism, more than 80% of a dose can be absorbed and ultimately excreted in the urine. Common polyphenols in the diet are flavanols (cocoa, tea, apples, broad beans), flavanones (hesperidin in citrus fruit), hydroxycinnamates (coffee, many fruits), flavonols (quercetin in onions, apples and tea) and anthocyanins (berries). Many intervention studies, mechanistic in vitro data and epidemiological studies support a role for polyphenols against the development of chronic diseases. For example, flavanols decrease endothelial dysfunction, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and modulate energy metabolism. Coffee and tea both reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, through action of their constituent polyphenols. Despite extensive research, the exact mechanisms of action of polyphenols in the human body have not been decisively proven, but there is strong evidence that some targets such as nitric oxide metabolism, carbohydrate digestion and oxidative enzymes are important for health benefits. Consumption of polyphenols as healthy dietary components is consistent with the advice to eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day, but it is currently difficult to recommend what ‘doses’ of specific polyphenols should be consumed to derive maximum benefit.
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“Often polyphenols act synergistically with other nutrients to influence glucose homeostasis and cellular processes”
From Mediterranean diet nutrients to turn the tide against insulin resistance and related diseases (2020) · cites this paper as [232]
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“it is uncertain whether isolated supplements would have the maximum effect without eating a variety of whole foods, as in the MedDiet eating pattern [232]”
From Mediterranean diet nutrients to turn the tide against insulin resistance and related diseases (2020) · cites this paper as [232]
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“However, despite representing a novel treatment paradigm for IR and IR-related diseases, polyphenol-based synthetic supplements may have several drawbacks [232].”
From Mediterranean diet nutrients to turn the tide against insulin resistance and related diseases (2020) · cites this paper as [232]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Williamson, G.
- Affiliations
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Williamson, G.
- ORCID
- Williamson, G.
- Venue
- Nutrition Bulletin
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-08-15
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 226-235
- ISSN
- 1467-3010 (ISSN-L)
- 1471-9827
- PMC
- PMC5601283
- OpenAlex
- W2749105166
- Cited by
- 551
- References
- 95
- Citations by year
- 2026: 62 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 61 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 71 · 2020: 71 · 2019: 62 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 5.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Nutrition Bulletin (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- European Research Council (POLYTRUE? 322467)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (DRINC BB/M027406/1)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry (medical) › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Pomegranate: compositions and health benefits
- Keywords
- polyphenols, dietary polyphenols, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, gut microbiota, flavan-3-ols, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, Theobroma cacao, tea, coffee, fruit and vegetable intake, endothelial dysfunction, nitric oxide, oxidative enzymes, chronic disease prevention
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