- A study of over 6,000 people found that diets high in polyphenols, found in fruit, coffee, chocolate and wine were linked to a 23% lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
- Higher polyphenol intake was associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high triglycerides.
- Consuming a variety of polyphenol-rich foods was key to improving gut health and lowering cardiometabolic risk.
A new study has found that consuming foods rich in polyphenols – natural compounds found in fruit, coffee, chocolate and wine – could significantly reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
The findings which were published in the Journal of Nutrition analysed data from over 6,000 people in Brazil, making it the largest study of its kind.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It is diagnosed when someone has at least three of the following:
- Abdominal obesity
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar levels
- High triglycerides
- Unhealthy cholesterol levels
Globally, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is rising – and in Brazil alone rates increased from 29.6% in 2013 to 33% in 2022.
These findings suggest that dietary changes could be a simple yet effective way to reduce this risk.
How polyphenols can benefit metabolic health
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in many plant-based foods.
The study examined the diets of participants over an eight-year period using detailed dietary questionnaires to measure polyphenol intake from 92 different foods.
The results showed that people who consumed the highest amount of polyphenols (469 mg per day) had a 23% lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome compared to those with the lowest intake (177 mg per day).
Key findings included:
- Coffee, red wine and tea were particularly beneficial as they contain phenolic acids which are a type of polyphenol linked to reduced metabolic risk.
- Flavan-3-ols – a flavonoid found in red wine and chocolate – was associated with a 20% lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
- People who consumed more polyphenols were up to 30 times less likely to develop high blood pressure or insulin resistance and 17 times less likely to have high triglycerides.
Dr Isabela Benseñor, a professor at the University of São Paulo and co-author of the study highlighted the significance of these findings: “Our findings leave no room for doubt: promoting diets rich in polyphenols can be a valuable strategy for reducing the risk of cardiometabolic disease and preventing metabolic syndrome.”
For more details, you can read the full study.
