Consumption of fruit, coffee, chocolate and wine can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome by a maximum of 23%

A diet that is rich in products such as grapes, strawberries, açaí, oranges, chocolate, wine and coffee can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome by no less than 23%, according to the findings of a study with more than 6,000 Brazilians, the largest in the World to associate the effects of consuming polyphenols with protection against cardiometabolic problems.

The study is published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities and hormone changes, is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols are bioactive connections with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

“This is good news for people who love fruit, chocolate, coffee and wine, all of whom are rich in polyphenols. Although the connection between polyphenols consumption and a reduction in the risk of metabolic syndrome was already identified in earlier studies, it was Never before have you been verified in such a large study test [6,378 people] and for such a long period [eight years]”Said Isabela Benseñor, a co-author of the article and professor at the Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FM-SuSP) in Brazil.

“Our findings in this study leave no room for doubt: promoting diets rich in polyphenols can be a valuable strategy to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and prevent metabolic syndrome.”

The data analyzed in the study was collected from Elsa-Brazil, a longitudinal health research for adults who have been employed by six Brazilian universities and research institutions since 2008. The analysis was carried out at the same university school for pharmaceutical sciences (FCF-SuSP) as part of the postdoctoral research by Renata Carnaúba.

Of the 6,378 participants analyzed, 2,031 developed metabolic syndrome, which is clinically diagnosed when at least three of the following circumstances are present: abdomen obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), high triglycerides and high lipids (dyeslipidemia).

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome rises worldwide with epidemic proportions. In Brazil it rose from 29.6% 2013 Unpleasant 33% In 2022, according to previously published studies.

“We are planning to conduct further research into the role of polyphenols in protection against cardiometabolic diseases. What we know so far relates to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing properties of these connections, as well as a possible positive influence on the intestinal microbiota , “Said Benseñor, who coordinates Elsa-Brazil.

Diet polyphenol intake

More than 8,000 polyphenols have been identified of nature. The best known and most studied are phenol acids (found in coffee and wine), flavonoids (fruit in general, beans and chocolate), lignans (seeds and oranges) and silent legs (red grapes and red wine).

Detailed interviews based on questionnaires were conducted to find out about the dietary habits of the participants and the frequency with which they have taken 92 polyphenol -rich foods. The effects of different cooking and processing methods were taken into account to guarantee an accurate measurement of the intake of polyphenol.

The most important conclusion was that the consumption of polyphenols from different foods at the highest estimated level (469 mg per day) reduced the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 23% compared to the lowest polyphenol consumption (177 mg per day). The consumption of phenol acids (a specific class polyphenols that are abundantly present in coffee, red wine and tea) reduced the risk with a similar amount.

According to Carnaúba, the amount of polyphenols was associated with a reduction in the risk of metabolic syndrome derived from the total nutritional intake. “Food variety is important because one of the justifications for the beneficial effects of polyphenol on health is their ability to modulate the intestinal microbiota. This process can stimulate the growth of probiotic or ‘good’ bacteria. The more diverse intake of a person and sources From polyphenols, the better the effect on their intestinal microbiota and therefore on their overall health, “she said.

The analysis also showed that increased consumption of flavan-3-ols, a flavonoid subgroup, was associated with a 20% lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Red wine was the most important source of flavan-3 os for the study sample, accounting for 80% of the total intake of this connection. Chocolate was also an important source, good for 10%.

The researchers also studied the impact of polyphenols on other cardiometabolic disorders linked to metabolic syndrome, such as hypertension, insulin resistance and increased triglycerides, for example.

“The results showed that the effects of polyphenols on metabolism and heart disorders were far from negligible. Regardless of the different cardiometabolic risk factors, such as gender, age, smoking and physical activity, participants who were taken more polyphenoles were probably a maximum of 30 times less Develop high blood pressure or insulin resistance, and 17 times less chance of increased triglycerides, “said Carnaúba.