Zahra Bahadoran
Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center,Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: The role of dietary polyphenols in prevention and management of obesity
Biography
Biography: Zahra Bahadoran
Abstract
Polyphenols are natural phytochemical compounds in plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereal, legumes, tea, coffee, wine and cocoa; more than 8000 polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, lignans and polymeric lignans have been identified in whole plant foods. In recent years, there is growing evidence that polyphenols, due to their biological properties, may be unique nutraceuticals for prevention and treatment of obesity. Our aim here is to review the current evidences in relation to several potential efficacies of these bioactive components on various aspect of body weight control. Based on several in vitro, animal models and some human studies, dietary plant polyphenols and polyphenol-rich products modulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, glycemic and insulin response, improve adipose tissue metabolism, and alleviate oxidative stress and stress-sensitive signaling pathways and inflammatory processes, which are known as important underlying mechanisms in development of overweight and obesity. Moreover, dietary polyphenols have potential to reduce preadipocytes proliferation and differentiation and stimulate lypolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation. Some polyphenol could also modulate principle genes involved in adipocytes metabolism. In conclusion, plant polyphenols including phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans have been proposed as effective supplements for management of overweight and obesity. Use of polyphenol-rich foods should also be considered as another important strategy in dietary planning of overweight and obese subjects.
