What are polyphenols, and do I need them? Can I get them through supplements? What if I do not get any? Polyphenols are beneficial compounds in many plant foods. They improve digestion, brain function, and blood sugar levels and protect against blood clots, heart disease, and certain cancers. They can act as antioxidants, neutralizing harmful free radicals that would otherwise damage cells and increase the risk of conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Where Are They Found?
Polyphenols are found in plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, tea, dark chocolate, and wine. They may improve digestion, brain function, and blood sugar levels and protect against blood clots, heart disease, and certain cancers. Other polyphenols are apples, berries, grapes, broccoli, spinach, white beans, walnuts, whole wheat, various teas, coffee, and many spices. Here is a complete list.
Are There Supplements?
Yes, these are supplements. However, supplements do not mean you will get all the health benefits from eating natural food. They seem to work best when interacting with the other nutrients naturally found in foods. Plus, supplements can contain 100 times more polyphenols than naturally found in the food.
Eating various plant-based foods will give you the polyphenols necessary for a healthy life.
