The Disease-Fighting Power of Polyphenols

Compelling new evidence reveals that a powerful way to protect aging arteries is to consume more plant polyphenols. Published studies show how polyphenol compounds help improve endothelial function, which is a critical factor in preventing atherosclerosis. Polyphenols have also been shown to inhibit the abnormal platelet aggregation that cause most sudden heart attacks and strokes, while fighting inflammation and supporting healthy blood lipids. Of particular interest are polyphenols derived from green tea, cocoa, apples, and black chokeberry—all of which may complement each other in bolstering the body’s defenses against ailments such as cancer, allergies, and cognitive decline. Here, we’ll explore the importance of how consuming diverse polyphenols can help safeguard one’s health against common ailments that plague aging adults. POLYPHENOLS: HEALING COMPOUNDS FROM NATURE’S PHARMACY Throughout history, wellness enthusiasts have celebrated the medicinal potential of plants, looking to these botanical allies to promote vitality and restore good health. Modern science has borne out these theories, showing that edible plants are to be valued not only for their high vitamin and fiber content but also for their rich store of polyphenols—antioxidant compounds that give plants some of their color, flavor, and healing qualities