Figure 1.

Pleiotropic health beneficial effects of dietary plant polyphenols: Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found largely in the fruits, vegetables, cereals and beverages. These molecules are secondary metabolites of plants and are generally involved in defense against ultraviolet radiation or aggression by pathogens and may also contribute to the bitterness, astringency of the food. Researchers have explored that these molecules are very good antioxidants and may neutralize the destructive reactivity of undesired reactive oxygen/nitrogen species produced as byproduct during metabolic processes in the body. Epidemiological studies have revealed that polyphenols provide a significant protection against development of several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, diabetes, infections, aging, asthma etc.