Polyphenol Drink Reduces Markers of Coronary Artery Disease

Researchers from the University of Glasgow, Mosaigues diagnostics, and Coca-Cola teamed up to investigate how polyphenols lower the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Their results were published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry on November 9, 2011.

Study participants included 39 middle-aged overweight adults, half of whom consumed a 17 oz. polyphenol-rich juice daily and half of whom consumed a placebo.

The polyphenol juice consisted of 1,052 micromoles of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds and 157 mg of procyanidins. It contained green tea flavanols, citrus flavanones, grape seed and pomace procyanidins, chlorogenic acid, apple dihydrochalones, and grape anthocyanins.

The researchers took urine samples after two weeks and examined the 93 polypeptides which had previously been identified as potential markers for disease. Of these 93, 27 showed a four-fold difference in the juice group when compared to the placebo group.

Seven of those markers, which were previously identified with increased risk of CAD, moved in a direction “closer to the healthy state” in participants in the polyphenol juice. In comparison, the urinary biomarkers in the placebo group were closer to the state found in people with CAD.

The researchers concluded that a polyphenol-rich drink seems to improve urinary biomarkers of CAD, suggesting that it may help prevent CAD.

Recent studies have linked polyphenol intake with a variety of health benefits, including helping with weight management, fighting certain cancers, and reducing inflammation. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body that can lead to many common diseases.

Polyphenols can be found naturally in many foods, including honey, a variety of fruits and vegetables, red wine, chocolate, tea, certain oils and a many types of grain. A healthy and balanced diet can help ensure you consume an adequate amount of polyphenols.