A new study has found that eating foods rich in natural compounds called polyphenols can offer big health benefits for older adults. The research, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, was done by a team from the University and other institutions. It shows that polyphenols can help reduce inflammation and promote healthier aging.
Polyphenols are natural substances found in fruits and vegetables. They are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, meaning they help protect the body’s cells and reduce swelling and irritation inside the body.
These compounds also act in a special way by working with the good bacteria in our gut. Together, they help create healthy substances called postbiotics.
One important postbiotic is called indole 3-propionic acid, or IPA. It is made when gut bacteria break down an amino acid called tryptophan, which we get from food. IPA has powerful effects. It protects the gut, reduces inflammation, fights damage from harmful molecules, and may even help protect the brain.
The study was led by Professor Cristina Andrés-Lacueva and included more than fifty volunteers, all over the age of 65. These participants followed a diet rich in polyphenols for eight weeks.
Their diet included foods like green tea, dark chocolate, apples, pomegranates, and blueberries. Throughout the study, researchers checked the amount of IPA in the participants’ blood.
The results were very positive. After following the polyphenol-rich diet, the participants had higher levels of IPA in their blood. They also showed lower levels of inflammation. Their gut bacteria changed too, with an increase in a group of healthy bacteria called Bacteroidales, which are linked to better gut health.
However, the study also found that people with kidney disease did not get the same benefits. This might be because their gut bacteria are different from those of healthy people, which affects how much IPA they can produce.
Tomás Meroño, one of the lead authors of the study, explained that finding ways to boost IPA levels is very important because it can help protect against many health problems. People with kidney disease often have lower levels of IPA, and low IPA levels are linked to faster kidney damage and chronic kidney disease.
By eating more foods that are rich in polyphenols, such as certain fruits, green tea, and dark chocolate, older adults can help their gut bacteria make more IPA. This could play a big role in preventing or slowing down the development of serious diseases, helping people stay healthier as they age.
This study shows how powerful food can be in supporting good health. Making smart choices about what we eat, especially by including more polyphenol-rich foods, can help control inflammation and promote healthy aging. It also suggests that special diets could be designed to help elderly people stay healthier for longer.
If you are interested in learning more about how diet and inflammation are linked, there are many other studies to explore. Some research looks at the causes of inflammation in bowel diseases, how vitamin B could help fight COVID-19 and reduce inflammation, and which foods might cause inflammation.
The full details of this new research can be found in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
