National Polyphenol Day Date in the current year: July 11, 2024

Polyphenols are a large and diverse family of naturally occurring chemical compounds that are abundant in plants. Some of the best-known types of polyphenols are flavonoids and tannins. Polyphenols have a wide range of biological functions. For example, they are responsible for the bright color, flavor and aroma of many fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols also protect plants against threats such as animals, insects, sun exposure, etc.

Strictly speaking, polyphenols are not considered nutrients because they neither provide dietary energy nor are they crucial to survival, growth or reproduction. However, they do have a number of health benefits, so it is highly advisable that your diet includes enough sources of polyphenols. What exactly are these benefits?

First and foremost, polyphenols have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants inhibit oxidation and therefore help minimize and repair free-radical induced damage. Free radicals produced as a result of oxidation are believed to play an important role in the aging process, which means that polyphenols help protect your body against premature aging and age-associated diseases.

Additionally, polyphenols help maintain a healthy blood pressure, improve brain function, and have a positive effect on the gut microbiota (helpful microorganisms living inside your digestive tract). Studies have shown that high levels of isoflavones (a type of polyphenols found in soy) are associated with a lower risk of mortality from breast, colorectal, gustric, and lung cancers, as well as reduced risks of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

What are the best dietary sources of polyphenols? Foods with high polyphenol levels include fruits and vegetables (especially in-season dark-colored berries and fruits), cocoa and dark chocolate, legumes, extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, tea (both green and black) and coffee, red wine, some cereal grains, nuts, algae, dried herbs and spices. Some polyphenols are specific to particular foods (isoflavones in soy, flavanones in citrus fruit), whereas other are found in multiple plant products.

National Polyphenol Day was launched in 2021 by the team of Gundry MD to celebrate the birthday of the company’s founder, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry, and raise awareness about the power of polyphenols. Gundry MD started in 2016 as a wellness blog and has since grown into a major producer of dietary supplements.

You can celebrate this amazing holiday by learning more about the health benefits of polyphenols and sharing the facts you’ve learned with others, making sure there are enough sources of polyphenols in your diet, drinking a glass of polyphenol-rich red wine (or a cup of tea or coffee if you don’t drink alcohol), and spreading the word on social media with the hashtags #NationalPolyphenolDay and #PolyphenolDay.