Polyphenols: The key to a healthier, longer life or just another health food fad?

A special type of nutrient that's only found in fruit and veg could be more important to your health than vitamins and minerals

- DR EMMA ВЕСКЕТТ

We all know eating fruits and vegetables is good for our health. But how much is enough, exactly? The World Health.

Organization (WHO) says, to help lower the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer, we should each be eating at least 400g or 14oz a day (for context, a medium-sized apple weighs about 150g/5oz)..

How close people get to this target varies around the world. But across the 38 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (which includes the UK and US), only 15 per cent of people eat the recommended amount.

That's worrying because, as you'd expect, fruit and vegetables contain a smörgåsbord of nutrients that keep our brains and bodies in tip-top shape. That said, it could be that one class of nutrients, known as polyphenols, is of particular value. Hence, polyphenols is the biggest nutritional buzzword of 2025.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYTONUTRIENTS

When we talk about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, we often focus on the fact that they're nutrientdense whole foods. This means that they're packed with vitamins and minerals (essential for supporting the normal functions in our bodies) without being high in calories, fats, salt or sugar.

We could, theoretically, get all the vitamins and minerals we need without eating many, if any, fruits or vegetables. And although the same could be possibly said for eating the right combination of supplements and meal-replacement products, they aren't natural whole foods. Which is to say that they're missing one important element that gives us huge health benefits: phytonutrients.

Phytonutrients are the natural compounds found in plants that give them their colours and flavours, and help protect them from environmental stress, pests and disease. They also play a key role in promoting human health.