Basically, polyphenols are compounds from certain plant-based foods that are packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits. It’s thought that polyphenols can improve digestion, weight management, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and cardiovascular diseases.

Recent research on polyphenols shows that they can help microorganisms in your digestive system and may even extend your lifespan. One study from the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd. showed that "polyphenols—which give color to fruits and vegetables and are also found in coffee, tea, nuts, and legumes—can break down into molecules that help beneficial microorganisms found in the digestive system. In short, they can support gut health, which is increasingly being recognized as vital to our overall well-being."

Another study found that people who took in 650 mg per day experienced a 30% lower mortality rate than those who took in less than 500 mg per day. This was previously difficult to prove because many different foods contain small quantities of polyphenols and they are metabolized quickly.

The good news is, it appears consuming polyphenols is low-hanging fruit (pun intended) if you are looking to improve your health! Many people already consume enough through their diet, but if you are looking to up your consumption, consider increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, polyphenol activity lessens as fruit ages, so unripened fruits tend to have higher concentrations. Some foods that are known to have high polyphenols are berries, green tea, coffee, and dark chocolate (70% or higher), nuts, spinach, artichokes, and red wine.