Polyphenols - Health boosting agents

Polyphenols are phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties which can help protect the cells in our body from free radical damage, thereby controlling the rate at which we age.

Polyphenols play an important role in maintaining our health and wellness.

If our body does not get adequate protection, free radicals can become rampant, causing our cells to perform poorly. This can lead to tissue degradation and body inflammation and put us at risk of diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease, for example.

The composition of polyphenols can prevent the formation of brain β amyloid protein, hence preventing the Alzheimer-type dementia effect.

Polyphenols are plant-derived component of pigment, bitter taste, Usually, foods contain complex mixtures of polyphenols, with higher levels found in the outer layers of the plants than the inner parts.

Polyphenols give fruits, berries, and vegetables their vibrant colors, and contribute to the bitterness, astringency, flavor, aroma, and oxidative stability of the food. In the plant, they protect against ultraviolet radiation, pathogens, oxidative damage, and harsh climatic conditions.

By far the most studied and understood polyphenol group is the flavonoids, which have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, red wine, and green tea.

Green tea is rich in antioxidant effect of a strong component of catechins (polyphenols A) and vitamin E, C, etc. These ingredients can inhibit nerve cell aging and help maintain cognitive function by suppressing β-amyloid deposition in the brain.

Meanwhile, there was a study on the habit of drinking coffee. It was found that coffee drinkers (three cups a day) were less likely to have cognitive decline and can maintain optimal cognitive function. This might due to caffeine in coffee. Caffeine can slow the abnormal protein deposits in the brain. In addition, coffee also contains chlorogenic acid and other polyphenols.

Besides green tea and caffeine, intake of curry can also prevent dementia.

The formation of an active ingredient derived from the curry spice turmeric color, which is rich in "curcumin". Curcumin can inhibit the cognitive decline, nerve cell aging and can prevent β-amyloid deposition in the brain. Therefore it can prevent Alzheimer's type dementia.

To optimize the benefits of these natural health boosting agents, it is important to eat a wide variety of foods that are rich in polyphenols. High-quality seasonings, raw fruits, vegetables, and seeds are among the richest sources. Polyphenols are fat soluble. This means that we can take them with fats in our diet or they will not be absorbed as readily. However, excessive polyphenols cannot be stored in the body, and so we need to have a balanced intake of various vegetables and fruits everyday.