Page 52 - GALENIKA MEDICAL JOURNAL

cerebralnog insulta. Oni ispoljavaju inhibitorni efekat na širok spektar virusa. Antitumorski efekat
polifenola zasniva se na indukovanoj apoptozi, inhibiciji enzima matriks-metaloproteinaze koji
omogućava metastaze, inhibiciji rasta tumora i inhibiciji angiogeneze. U pogledu neuroloških efekata
polifenoli povoljno djeluju na kognitivne funkcije i egzekutivno funkcionisanje, kao i na smanjivanje
rizika oboljevanja od Parkinsonove bolesti. Oni djeluju protektivno i na razvijanje depresivnih
simptoma, zatim simptomatologije ADHD kod djece, kao i nevoljnih pokreta kod oboljelih od
šizofrenije. Polifenoli djeluju povoljno i kod dislipidemija smanjivanjem nivoa LDL holesterola i
povećavanjem nivoa HDL holesterola. Može se preporučiti nutritivna podrška ili suplementacija

polifenolima u primarnoj i sekundarnoj prevenciji navedenih oboljenja.

Abstract

Polyphenols are nutrients that are classified as phytochemicals because they are found exclusively in foods of plant
origin. They are divided into flavonoids (flavonols, flavanones, isoflavones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, and flavones) and
nonflavonoids (phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamates, ellagic acid and ellagitannins, stilbenes, lignans, dihydrochalcones, and
coumarins). Research shows that polyphenols have multiple positive health effects.

This paper aims to systematize recent scientific results on the effects of polyphenols on health.

A search of the scientific literature of the last 20 years in the English language on the health effects of polyphenols was
performed in the “PubMed“ database using the keywords: “polyphenols“; “microbiota“; “diabetes mellitus“; “cardiovascular
diseases“; “cognitive functions“; “viral diseases“; “cancer“; “mental health“ and “dyslipidemias“.

There is a mutual positive influence of polyphenols and microbiota. Polyphenols affect the composition of the microbiota,
especially the growth of beneficial microbiotic strains. In epidemiological studies, polyphenols have shown a protective
effect concerning DM type 2 by lowering blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, reducing insulinemia and increasing
insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in cells. By reducing arterial stiffness, oxidative stress,
inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, and regulating the production of nitrogen monoxide and cytokines, they reduce
the risk of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and cerebral insult. Polyphenols have a positive effect on cognitive functions
and executive functioning and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. Their antiviral effect is based on the inhibition of the
enzyme helicase, which is necessary for viral replication and recombination, reduction of oxidative stress, virucidal effect,
interaction with the structural proteins of the virus, and interference with the fusion of the virus with the cell membrane,
reduction of inflammation and increase of immunity and reduction of dysbiosis in the intestines and lungs. The protective
effect of polyphenols concerning cancer is based on induced apoptosis, inhibition of the matrix-metalloproteinase enzyme
that enables metastases, inhibition of tumor growth, and inhibition of angiogenesis. In terms of mental health, polyphenols
reduce the risk of depression and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and have a beneficial effect on the
reduction of tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia. They also have a positive effect on dyslipidemia, by reducing
the level of LDL cholesterol and increasing the level of HDL cholesterol.

Polyphenols are phytochemicals with multiple positive health effects. They work synergistically with the gut microbiota.
Epidemiological studies have shown that polyphenols reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, myocardial
infarction, cerebral insult, viral diseases, Parkinson's disease, cognitive disorders, cancer, depression, and dyslipidemia.
Nutritional support or supplementation with polyphenols can be recommended in the primary and secondary prevention of
the mentioned diseases.

Keywords: polyphenols, microbiota, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction, cognition, virus diseases,
cancer, depression, dyslipidemias

50 DOI: 10.5937/Galmed2307046B