The research, conducted by King’s College London, found that those who had greater adherence to these dietary patterns had Reduced expected risk of cardiovascular disease (ECV).
Polyphenols are natural compounds found in plants that are linked to various benefits, including heart, brain, and gut health.
The study was published in the journal BMC Medicine More than 3,100 adults From the TwinsUK collection through More than a decade They found that diets rich in certain groups of polyphenols were associated with healthier blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which contributed to lower cardiovascular disease risk scores.
For the first time, the researchers also analyzed a large number of metabolites in urine that are produced when the body breaks down polyphenols. These biomarkers confirmed that people with higher levels of polyphenol metabolites – especially those derived from specific groups of polyphenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids – have a lower cardiovascular risk. They also had high levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as “good” cholesterol.
The study used the newly developed Dietary Polyphenol Scale (PPS) to assess intake of 20 polyphenol-rich foods commonly consumed in the UK, from tea and coffee to berries, olive oil, nuts and whole grains.
This finding showed stronger associations with cardiovascular health than estimates of total polyphenol intake, likely because it captures overall dietary patterns rather than individual compounds. This finding suggests that looking at the entire diet provides a more accurate picture of how polyphenol-rich foods work together to support long-term heart health.
“Our findings show that long-term adherence to diets rich in polyphenols can significantly slow the increase in cardiovascular disease risk with age. Even small, sustainable changes toward foods such as Berries, tea, coffee, nuts and whole grains “It can help protect the heart over time,” says Ana Rodriguez Mateos, lead author and professor of human nutrition at King’s College London.
For his part, Dr. Young Lee, the first author of the study, believes that this research provides “strong evidence that including foods rich in polyphenols in the diet regularly is a simple and effective way to promote heart health. These plant compounds are widely available in everyday foods, making it a practical strategy for most people.”
Although the risk of cardiovascular disease naturally increases with age, higher polyphenol intake was associated with slower risk progression over the 11-year follow-up period, the researchers noted. They also highlight the need for future dietary intervention studies to further validate these associations.