Polyphenols: How Colorful Foods and Natural Supplements Benefit Your Health

When it comes to health, why are we always told to eat our fruits and veggies? It seems as though the consumption of colorful fruits and vegetables is a cure-all. Let’s explore a certain type of chemical compound to find out what it can do for us, and how it can benefit our hearts, minds, and waistlines.

Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring, colorful compounds found in many plants, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. Polyphenols are primarily known for their antioxidant properties and have been associated with a variety of health benefits, such as:

• Improved cardiovascular health: Polyphenols have been shown to help reduce blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Polyphenols have been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a key factor in the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
• Anti-cancer effects: Some polyphenols have been shown to have anti-cancer properties, including the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
• Improved cognitive function: Polyphenols have been shown to help improve cognitive function and may help reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

As always, the best way to get any healthy molecule like polyphenols in your body is to consume them through fresh, whole foods like berries, nuts, and colorful fruits and vegetables. If you need a little help, we have brought in a new supplement that can help augment your polyphenol consumption. The supplement Hiphenolic has extracts of hibiscus flower, lemon verbena, and green coffee bean. These plant extracts are extremely high in polyphenol compounds, and have been studied specifically in regard to their heart health and weight management benefits.

Compounds found in hibiscus, lemon verbena, and green coffee bean extract can lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, promote weight loss, and regulate blood sugar levels by increasing the production of Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (or GLP-1). GLP-1 has been a pharmaceutical hot topic recently, as drugs that mimic GLP-1 have skyrocketed in popularity in the US. Peptide drugs such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide have been used to help patients with diabetes and weight management issues. These GLP-1 type drugs are associated with some side effects, such as significant nausea. Natural sources of GLP-1 type compounds are less likely to cause these side effects.

These compounds have been extensively studied in the literature. One study found that supplementation with lemon verbena extract increased GLP-1 levels in healthy adults, which may have potential therapeutic effects in the management of diabetes and insulin resistance. Hibiscus extract has also been shown to have effects on GLP-1 levels. A study in overweight individuals found that supplementation with hibiscus extract for 12 weeks increased GLP-1 levels and improved insulin resistance compared to a placebo. Green coffee bean extract has also been shown to have effects on GLP-1 levels. One study found that supplementation with green coffee bean extract increased GLP-1 levels and improved glucose metabolism in overweight individuals.

If you are striving to naturally increase GLP-1 levels, or are struggling to find semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide due to supply issues, the answer may be on our shelves.