Polyphenols and Public Health

The general term polyphenols encompasses many chemicals with the same general structure. Polyphenols are complex antioxidants with increasing public health significance, particularly in the areas of nutrition, epidemiology, and primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Consumption of foods containing polyphenolic compounds is common, as the chemical is in many recommended foods. Dietary supplements containing polyphenols are also currently marketed in the United States, though there are at present no governmental dietary recommendations for polyphenols. Increasing epidemiologic research will further the application of polyphenols in public health by providing evidence for dietary recommendations as well as the promotion of consumption to prevent current challenging diseases such as diabetes and various cancers.