British Study: Foods Rich in Polyphenols Improve Heart Health

SadaNews - A British study has found that individuals who regularly consume foods and beverages rich in polyphenols, such as tea, coffee, berries, cocoa, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil, enjoy better long-term heart health.

The research, conducted by King’s College London, showed that those who adhere more closely to diets rich in polyphenols have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Polyphenols are natural compounds found in plants and are associated with various health benefits, including improved heart, brain, and gut health.

The study, published in the journal "BMC Medicine" and reported by the EurekAlert website, followed over 3,100 adults for more than a decade, finding that diets rich in specific polyphenol groups were linked to healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, contributing to lower risk scores for cardiovascular diseases.

For the first time, the researchers also analyzed a large number of urine metabolites produced when the body breaks down polyphenols.

These biomarkers confirmed that individuals with higher levels of polyphenol metabolites — especially those derived from specific groups of polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids — had lower risk scores for cardiovascular diseases. They also exhibited higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol.

The study utilized a newly developed polyphenol dietary score (PPS) to record the consumption of 20 major foods rich in polyphenols commonly consumed in the UK, ranging from tea and coffee to berries, olive oil, nuts, and whole grains.

This result showed a stronger association with cardiovascular health compared to total polyphenol intake estimates, likely because it reflects overall dietary patterns rather than individual compounds. This finding suggests that studying the diet as a whole provides a more accurate picture of how polyphenol-rich foods work together to support long-term heart health.

Professor Anna Rodriguez-Mateos, the lead researcher and a human nutrition professor at King’s College London, said: "Our results show that long-term adherence to polyphenol-rich diets can significantly slow the rise in cardiovascular disease risk as we age. Even small, continuous shifts toward foods like berries, tea, coffee, nuts, and whole grains may help protect the heart over time."

Dr. Yong Li, the study's lead author, added: "This research provides strong evidence that regularly including polyphenol-rich foods in your diet is a simple and effective way to support heart health. These plant compounds are widely available in everyday foods, making them a practical strategy for most people."

The researchers noted that while the risk of cardiovascular disease naturally increases with age, higher polyphenol intake was associated with a slowdown in the worsening of risk during the 11-year follow-up period. They also emphasize the need for future dietary intervention studies to confirm these associations.

Source: EurekAlert