The Impact of Polyphenol Consumption on Chronic and Acute Inflammation

Daniel Shaw, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

CRITICAL RESULT 4
ABSTRACT CRITICAL RESULT 1
As has been stated, polyphenols occur in
• Inflammation is a biological process whereby the body responds to Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate
many fruits and vegetables. This study
harmful and dangerous stimulation by flooding the damaged area Aminotransferase (AST) are two common tests to
with immune cells and blood cells. This process serves to cure the experimented with consumption of
determine liver health. Perinatal lipopolysaccharise
initial cause of injury, remove necrotic cells, and initiate tissue repair. strawberry and cranberry polyphenols
(LPS) was used to induce liver damage and fibrosis
However, an individual can suffer from chronic inflammation, which (SCP). Using M/I as a measure of insulin
in newborn rats. Evidence from this study shows
can lead to a wide variety of diseases including arthritis, Chrohn’s sensitivity, participants were measured
disease, and a host of cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, that polyphenol consumption from green tea
before and after 6 weeks of SCP
antioxidants are compounds found in a wide variety of foods. There reduces the damage to liver cells. Also shown is
consumption. This showed no significant
have been many reports in recent years that have focused on the that higher levels of consumption reduce oxidative
change in insulin sensitivity for the control
health benefits of antioxidants and their ability to help the human effects even more so. This is evidenced by the
group. The experimental group saw an
body protect itself from environmental and biological threats. positive status of the group receiving the 200
increase in insulin sensitivity due, in part,
Polyphenols are a group of antioxidants that are naturally occurring mg/kg when compared to the group receiving 100
compounds found in a wide variety of plants and berries, and even to antioxidant effects and a reduction in
mg/kg.
include coffee, tea, and wine. Polyphenols are professed to help inflammation.
reduce inflammation in the body and protect the body from the
source of inflammation.
CRITICAL RESULT 2
• The aim of this study is to determine the positive effect of SUMMARY
polyphenols in the diet versus the detrimental effects of
inflammation. It should stand that an increase in dietary polyphenols
This study assessed the effects of whole 1. Polyphenol consumption will protect the body from oxidative
should lessen both inflammation in the body as well as long term
chronic effects of inflammation and the diseases it causes. One grain consumption (WG) versus a control damage, either by biological or environmental threats.
study studied the effects of green tea consumption by newborn rats group that consumed products containing 2. Polyphenol consumption will lower the bio-markers for
and found that the polyphenols in green tea were effective in Refined Wheat (CTR). Each standard of inflammation in the body.
protecting against oxidative damage to the liver. A separate study on this experiment showed a marked
overweight individuals found that polyphenols in whole-grain wheat improvement in all measures of 3. Polyphenol consumption will prevent liver damage. Increased
may reduce the risk of diseases due to chronic inflammation. A third dihydroferulic acid (DHFA) and ferulic acid consumption will have increased preventive effects.
study found that bioavailable citrus extract was highly effective as an
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. While the effects of fiber, (FA). These are markers of metabolic 4. Polyphenols are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, yet
vitamins, and minerals in food cannot be discounted, research shows diseases and inflammation. The all are beneficial.
that polyphenols have a positive effect on chronic inflammation and experimental group shows the increasing
reduces the incidence of long term illnesses. presence of these beneficial compounds
with each subsequent week, indicating
beneficial long-term outcomes of a TAKE HOME MESSAGE
sustained whole-grain diet.
Polyphenols are beneficial to health by increasing our
defenses against oxidative threats and inflammation. They
INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH QUESTION CRITICAL RESULT 3
are another reason to enjoy fruits and vegetables.

•Polyphenols are compounds with antioxidative properties. In determining protective powers of

REFERENCES
•Polyphenols are found in a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, polyphenols, in can be seen that
• Sawicki, CM; et al. Phytochemical Pharmacokinetics and Bioactivity of Oat and Barley Flour: A
legumes, fruits, berries, tea, coffee, and wine. consumption does protect liver cells. Randomized Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 2016 Dec 15;8(12). pii: E813.
•Inflammation is a protective reaction of the body in response to Damaged/fibrotic liver cells are • Semba, RD; et al. Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling adults.
damaging biological and environmental stimuli. represented by slide B. A marked JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Jul;174(7):1077-84. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.1582.

•While inflammation is a natural defense mechanism of the human body,
chronic inflammation can negatively impact an individual’s health.
•Does polyphenol consumption impact the long-term effects of
inflammation on the human body? What are the best ways to optimize
any positive effects that may be found?
improvement by consumption of 100
mg/kg is seen on slide C.
Consumption of 200 mg/kg (D) sees
little damage and cells are similar to
healthy/control cells (A).
• Pepe, G; et al. Bioavailable Citrus sinensis Extract: Polyphenolic Composition and Biological
Activity. Molecules. 2017 April; 22, 623
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PERINATAL LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-EXPOSURE INDUCED LIVER TOXICITY IN RAT NEWBORNS. Afr J
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