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  • When polyphenols are combined with amino acids, it can enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of the polyphenols.
  • For the study, researchers tested coffee with milk and the results were promising.
  • There are many benefits of incorporating polyphenols in your diet. Sources of polyphenols include berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, green tea, red wine, pomegranate, apples, nuts (such as almonds, and walnuts), and extra-virgin olive oil.

Polyphenols are compounds that are found in plant-based foods. Filled with antioxidants, polyphenols can help lower oxidative stress which results in inflammation.

Additionally, they can improve gut health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and some cancers.

However, research on polyphenols is limited, but a new study is helping researchers understand the impact these substances have on inflammation. And surprisingly they find simply adding milk to your coffee may help you combat inflammation.

Researchers from the Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark wanted to explore what happens when polyphenols are paired with proteins found in foods.

They tested whether the molecules could bind to each other in a coffee drink with milk. Coffee beans are packed with polyphenols and milk contains protein. The findings were promising and the molecules did bind together.

The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, looked at how immune cells responded when they were exposed to a combination of polyphenols and amino acids. They found those cells exposed to both of those substances were twice as effective at fighting inflammation compared to polyphenols alone.

Researchers speculate this reaction could occur when other foods containing proteins and fruits or vegetables are combined.

Further studies will need to be conducted.

“When polyphenols are combined with amino acids, it is natural to believe that their properties change,” Marianne Nissen Lund, MSc from the Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen and the lead author of the study, told Healthline. “In foods, it can be both positive and negative, as it depends on the type and concentration of the polyphenol, and in which type of food the reaction occurs.”

For example, in meat products some polyphenols can improve functional properties, such as gelation, but only if they are dosed correctly. Some polyphenols may lead to discoloration, and in some cases haze formation such as in beer, Nissen Lund added.

“When polyphenols are combined with amino acids, they can enhance the bioavailability of the polyphenols and lead to an increased release of anti-inflammatory compounds, which in turn can result in improved health outcomes,” Dr. Adil Maqbool, an expert in nutritional and metabolic diseases at Allama Iqbal Medical College in Pakistan, told Healthline.

In this study, the researchers honed in on the potential anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols.

“Polyphenols react readily with proteins in foods, and the effects on food quality have been studied to some extent, but the consequence on the anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols is unknown, which is relevant in relation to human health,” said Nissen Lund. “This is the first time, to the best of my knowledge, that polyphenols reacted with amino acids have been examined in immune cells. The next step is to investigate the effects in animals.”

Given the numerous health benefits of polyphenols, the food industry and researchers are working on adding the right amount of polyphenols for optimal quality.

“Since humans do not absorb that much polyphenol, scientists are trying to figure out how to combine polyphenols with proteins to boost their absorption in the body. This method has the added benefit of improving the anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols,” Nissen Lund explained.

Other sources of polyphenols include berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries), green tea, red wine, pomegranate, apples, nuts (such as almonds, walnuts), and extra-virgin olive oil.

It is important to note that the amount and type of polyphenols in food can vary widely based on growing conditions, processing, and storage, so consuming a variety of these foods can help ensure a balanced intake of polyphenols, Maqbool explained.

Polyphenols are compounds that are found in plant-based foods. Filled with antioxidants, polyphenols can help lower oxidative stress which results in inflammation.

When polyphenols are paired with amino acids, it can boost the anti-inflammatory properties of the polyphenols. In a new study, researchers examined the effects of coffee with milk and the results were promising.

Eating a diet rich in polyphenols is beneficial for your overall health. Sources of polyphenols include berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, green tea, red wine, pomegranate, apples, nuts (such as almonds, walnuts), and extra-virgin olive oil.