What are polyphenols?
Polyphenols, also known as micronutrients, are chemicals found in edible plants that have a positive effect on the body. It is believed that plants produce polyphenols to protect themselves from damage caused by harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun, similar to how sunscreen protects the human body (they may also be produced to repel bugs and thwart disease).
Additionally, polyphenols are full of antioxidants and other human health benefits. It’s thought that they may even help treat digestion concerns and effectively help manage weight. With more than 500 unique polyphenols known to science, scientists have broken them down into four distinct categories: flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes and lignans.
Are polyphenols really good for you?
Absolutely! Polyphenols are strong antioxidants, meaning they prevent naturally-forming Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), also called radicals, from harming the body’s cells. Radicals play a crucial role in the development of heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Foods Rich in Polyphenols
All plants have different levels of polyphenols. Some of the most common polyphenol-rich plants and foods include:
- Spices: turmeric, cinnamon.
- Vegetables: chicory, cherry tomatoes, yellow onions, artichokes, potatoes, leeks, red cabbage, broccoli, curly kale, parsley, eggplants, celery, tomato, rhubarb, and chili peppers.
- Fruits: natural orange juice, grapefruit juice, kiwi fruit, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrant, strawberries, pears, cherries, plums, apples, peaches, and black grapes.
- Grains and Seeds: rice flour, corn flour, wheat flour, green and white beans, oats, soybeans and soy flour, miso, and tempeh.
- Beverages: green tea, black tea, red wine, coffee, cider, and chocolate.
Unfortunately, many of the above foods don’t have the nutrient levels they used to, due to common farming techniques, such as the use of pesticides. Thus, consuming enough polyphenols to experience their benefits from these food sources may be difficult.
That’s where dietary supplements, such as KaraMD®’s Revive Reds, can provide more. Revive Reds, which contains more than 25 natural polyphenols in each scoop, serve as an excellent source of polyphenols for the human body. Designed to increase energy levels and support healthy digestion, the polyphenols in Revive Reds may work to restore the body’s energy while combating radicals and reducing inflammation at the same time. Paired with a plentiful diet of the foods mentioned above, you’ll be well on your way to healthy living.
Learn more about KaraMD’s Revive Reds by clicking here.
References & Disclaimers
✝✝This noted statement is based on independent research and is not necessarily the opinion of the author