Overview
- The peer-reviewed paper, published January 24 in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, synthesizes 12 human trials spanning 24 years and four countries along with mechanistic studies.
- Improved endothelial function is the most consistent finding, with some studies reporting measurable effects within hours of a single serving and others after weeks of regular intake.
- In adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk, several trials reported clinically relevant reductions in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, along with improvements in glycemic control after sustained consumption.
- Emerging evidence points to gut microbiome involvement, including microbial conversion of polyphenols into circulating metabolites and a six-week study showing increased Bifidobacterium species, with microbial products accounting for up to about 40% of active compounds.
- The authors call for larger, well-controlled studies to identify responders and refine dosing, and they disclose WBANA’s symposium support and current grants to several co-authors.