What are Polyphenols?

Polyphenols are a structural class of mainly natural, but also synthetic or semisynthetic, organic chemicals. They are considered micronutrients.

Anthocyanins

Flavonoids

Catechins

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Ellagic acid

Proanthocyanidins

Pterostilbene (PSB)

Pterostilbene (PSB) (3′,5′‐dimethoxy‐resveratrol), a Resveratrol‐related polyphenol found in blueberries, was identified. PSB has a higher bioavailability than Reveratrol due to the presence of two methoxy groups that increase its lipophilic and oral absorption.^[1]

Resveratrol

Healing Properties

Antioxidant

Anti‐inflammatory

Anti‐carcinogenic (anticancer)

Antimicrobial

Polyphenols such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids are found to have antimicrobial properties.^[2]

Antiviral

Berries such as Elderberry, blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry have proven to be effective against viral infections.^[2:1]

Berries could be an alternative source for managing and inhibiting viral infections.^[2:2]

Digestion

Prebiotic

Polyphenols have prebiotic effects; stimulate the growth of healthy gut microorganisms and increase production of Short Chain Fatty Acids.^[3]

Consumption of polyphenols, especially catechins, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, increases the abundance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium spp. Moreover, polyphenols supplementation increased the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), including butyrate. The clinical trials showed an increased abundance of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium spp., and a reduction in plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein after the consumption of anthocyanins and ellagic acid. In conclusion, there is strong evidence in preclinical studies that dietary polyphenols can stimulate both the growth of microorganisms identified as prebiotic targets and an increase in the production of SCFA.^[3:1]

Endurance