A diet rich in produce such as grapes, strawberries, açaí, oranges, chocolate, wine and coffee can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome by as much as 23%, according to the findings of a study involving more than 6,000 Brazilians, the largest in the world to associate the effects of consuming polyphenols with protection against cardiometabolic problems.
The study is published in the Journal of Nutrition.
Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities and hormone alterations, is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols are bioactive compounds with well-known anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“This is good news for people who like fruit, chocolate, coffee and wine, all of which are rich in polyphenols. Although the link between consumption of polyphenols and a reduction in the risk of metabolic syndrome had already been identified in previous studies, it had never before been verified in such a large study sample [6,378 people] and over such a long period [eight years],” said Isabela Benseñor, a co-author of the article and a professor at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil.
“Our findings in this study leave no room for doubt: promoting diets rich in polyphenols can be a valuable strategy for reducing the risk of cardiometabolic disease and preventing metabolic syndrome.”
The data analyzed in the study was
