Consumption of Polyphenol Plants May Slow Aging and Associated Diseases

Abstract

Slowing aging is a widely shared goal. Plant-derived polyphenols, which are found in commonly consumed food plants such as tea, cocoa, blueberry and grape, have been proposed to have many health benefits, including slowing aging. In-vivo studies have demonstrated the lifespan-extending ability of six polyphenol-containing plants. These include five widely consumed foods (tea, blueberry, cocoa, apple, pomegranate) and a flower commonly used as a folk medicine (betony). These and multiple other plant polyphenols have been shown to have beneficial effects on aging-associated changes across a variety of organisms from worm and fly to rodent and human.

Association between both total baseline urinary and dietary polyphenols and substantial physical performance decline risk in older adults: A 9-year follow-up of the InCHIANTI study

“…Several epidemiological studies have suggested protective associations between polyphenols and some age-related chronic diseases, and even total mortality (17, 34–35, 38–42). These beneficial activities, which may be attributable to their ability to modulate oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation (43–44), can translate in a protective effect against the development of physical performance decline. However, to date limited data exists on the potential effects of total polyphenol intake on skeletal muscle.…”

Punicalagin and (–)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Rescue Cell Viability and Attenuate Inflammatory Responses of Human Epidermal Keratinocytes Exposed to Airborne Particulate Matter PM10

“…However, the effects of polyphenols on PM10-exposed skin cells remain unexplored. Punicalagin and (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are natural polyphenols contained in pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) [20] and green tea ( Camellia sinensis L.) [17], respectively; they are report ed to exhibit diverse bioactivities [21]. In the present study, we examined their effects on viability, ROS production, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and MMP-1 in human epidermal keratinocytes exposed to PM10.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols from Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed)

“…Polyphenols have also been shown to modulate the immune system by rapidly inducing lymphocyte gene transcription, leading to cytokine production and increased responsiveness to secondary signals (Holderness et al, 2007;Holderness et al, 2008). In vivo studies have demonstrated the lifespanextending properties of polyphenol-containing plants (Uysal et al, 2013), and certain polyphenols may protect against Alzheimer's disease-type cognitive deterioration and neurodegeneration during brain aging and dementia (Pasinetti, 2012;Schaffer et al, 2012). Recent reports also indicate strong epigenetic effects of polyphenols (Joven et al, 2013;Ayissi et al, 2014).…”