DIETARY POLYPHENOLS, METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ITS INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS

The association between total and individual classes of polyphenol and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components was evaluated in a cohort of 8,821 Polish adults (the HAPIEE cohort). Individuals in the highest quartile of polyphenol intake were less likely to have MetS, as well as elevated waist circumference, blood pressure, high lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in women, and fasting plasma glucose in both genders. Among individual classes of polyphenols, phenolic acids and stilbenes were significantly associated with MetS; lignans and stilbenes with waist circumference; phenolic acids with blood pressure and triglycerides; and flavonoids with fasting plasma glucose. The analyses were repeated prospectively in individuals free of hypertension or diabetes and followed up to 6 years. Total polyphenols were associated with decreased risk of both hypertension (in both men and women) and diabetes (only in women). Among the main classes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes were responsible for the decreased risk of hypertension, while flavonoids and “other” polyphenols for diabetes.