Potential Benefits and Dietary Sources of Micro Nutrients Polyphenols

Overview :
Polyphenols also known as polyhydroxyphenols are micro nutrients that we get from certain plant based foods, they are packed with anti-oxidants and lot of health benefits.

Chemically polyphenols are a structural class of mainly natural but also synthetic or semisynthetic, organic chemicals. Polyphenols are characterized by the presence of large multiples of phenol structural units. The number and characteristics of these phenol structures underlie the unique physical, chemical, and biological (metabolic, toxic, therapeutic, etc.) properties of particular members of the class. Examples include tannic acid and ellagitannin.

Fruits like grapes, apple, pear, cherries and berries contains up to 200–300 mg polyphenols per 100 grams fresh weight. The products manufactured from these fruits, also contain polyphenols in significant amounts. Typically, a glass of red wine or a cup of tea or coffee contains about 100 mg polyphenols. Recently researchers have suggested that polyphenol-rich foods intake may be associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases.

Factors that influence activity of polyphenols in the body include metabolism, intestinal absorption, and the bioavailability of the polyphenol. Although some foods may have higher polyphenol levels than others, this does not necessarily mean that they are absorbed and used at higher rates.

Health Benefits :
Below is a list containing potential health benefits of polyphenols :

1. Good for cardiovascular health
2. Lower the risk of cancers
3. Possess antioxidant activity
4. Flavonoids are included in Phlebotonics mostly used treating chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids
Dietary Sources :
Followings are the best dietary sources of polyphenols:

1. Black and green teas
2. Grapes and grapes products
3. Soy
4. Vegetables like red onion, spinach and artichokes.
5. Nuts like almonds, walnuts and peanuts
6. Beans
7. Fruits like berries, apples, citrus fruits and plums