Polyphenols and Their Effects
Polyphenols
- Polyphenols are divided into four categories and have similar actions.
- Examples:
- Anthocyanins:
- Give fruit and vegetables a purple color.
- Possess powerful antioxidant activity.
- Quercetin
- Catechins
- Found in green tea extract
- Liquiritin
- Found in licorice or licorice root extract
- Glabridin
- Resveratrol
- Found in wine
- Classified as a stilbene
- Salicylic acid
Side Effects of Polyphenols
- Side effects are proportional to the usage of polyphenols.
- Contact allergic and photodermatitis problems can occur in certain individuals upon exposure.
- Hyperpigmentation
- Reactivity in sensitive skins
- Skin inflammation and irritation
- Getting the right levels in formulations is key.
- They can act as an allergen.
- They can also lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) if used in too high a concentration.
Similarities to Phenylalanine-Derived Materials
- Polyphenols often have similar qualities to other phenylalanine-derived materials in the body.
- Melanin, estrogen, and thyroid hormones originate from phenylalanine.
- Melanin is involved in the production of the orangey-yellow pigment in the skin.
- Polyphenols can interrupt processes and pathways normally influenced by these compounds.
- They are used in small quantities to achieve specific effects.
Main Polyphenols of Focus
- Resveratrol
- Green Tea Extract
- Curcumin
- Licorice Root Extract
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- Silymarin
- Soybean Extract