A new study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research has found that eating foods rich in polyphenols can have important health benefits for older adults.
The research shows that these natural compounds can reduce inflammation and support healthy aging.
Polyphenols are found in many fruits and vegetables. They are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help protect the body’s cells from damage. They also work a bit like probiotics, interacting with gut bacteria to produce helpful substances called postbiotics.
One key postbiotic is called indole 3-propionic acid (IPA). It is made when gut bacteria break down the amino acid tryptophan. IPA has powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective effects, and it plays an important role in keeping the gut healthy.
The study, led by Professor Cristina Andrés-Lacueva, involved more than fifty people aged 65 and older. For eight weeks, these volunteers followed a diet high in polyphenols, including green tea, dark chocolate, apples, pomegranates, and blueberries. Researchers measured the levels of IPA in their blood throughout the study.
The results were encouraging. A diet rich in polyphenols greatly increased IPA levels in the blood, reduced inflammation, and improved the balance of gut bacteria, especially by increasing certain bacteria from the Bacteroidales group.
However, the benefits were not seen in participants with kidney disease, possibly because their gut bacteria were different. This is important because people with kidney problems usually have lower IPA levels, which are linked to faster kidney decline and chronic kidney disease.
Tomás Meroño, a co-first author of the study, stressed the importance of finding ways to increase IPA production because of its many health benefits. For older adults, boosting IPA through a diet rich in polyphenols may help delay or prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life.
This research suggests that simple dietary changes — such as eating more polyphenol-rich foods like specific fruits, green tea, and dark chocolate — can have a positive effect on gut health and aging. It highlights how making smart food choices can help manage inflammation and promote better health in later years.
The findings also open the door for further studies on how targeted nutrition can benefit people with kidney disease and other chronic conditions. As scientists continue to learn more, it’s becoming clear that what we eat can play a big role in how well we age.
If you care about health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
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