Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 37
What do they do in the body?
Polyphenols are not highly absorbed in large
amounts, which once led scientists to question
their signi昀椀cance. However, research now shows
that even small amounts can have meaningful
effects in the body.
One of their most well-known roles is their
contribution to reducing oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an
imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants
in the body, and it has been linked to ageing and
chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease
and type 2 diabetes. Polyphenols can help
neutralise these processes, although this is only
part of their mechanism.
More recent evidence shows that polyphenols
interact strongly with the gut microbiome.
Rather than being fully absorbed in the small
intestine, many reach the colon where gut
bacteria metabolise them into smaller bioactive
compounds. In return, polyphenols can help
support the growth of bene昀椀cial bacteria, acting in
a prebiotic-like manner. This gut interaction is now
considered one of the most important pathways
through which polyphenols in昀氀uence health.
Polyphenols also play roles in regulating
in昀氀ammation, improving endothelial (blood vessel)
function, and in昀氀uencing cell signalling pathways
involved in metabolism and immune function.
These combined effects help explain why they are
associated with long-term health outcomes.
