Bioavailability of various polyphenols from a diet containing moderate amounts of berries

J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Apr 14;58(7):3927-32. doi: 10.1021/jf9024823.

Abstract

Berries are a rich source of various polyphenols. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioavailability of polyphenols from berries. Middle-aged subjects (n = 72) consumed moderate amounts of berry or control products for 8 weeks in a randomized, placebo-controlled dietary intervention trial. Average intake of berries was 160 g/day (bilberries, lingonberries, black currants, and chokeberries). Plasma and urine polyphenols were analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC and berry polyphenols by HPLC. The total intake of polyphenols was 837 mg/day. Plasma quercetin, p-coumaric acid, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, homovanillic acid, and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid increased significantly from the baseline in the berry group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The urinary excretion of quercetin, p-coumaric acid, and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid increased significantly in the berry group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a number of polyphenols are bioavailable from a diet containing moderate amounts of blue and red berries.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biological Availability
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis*
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / pharmacokinetics*
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Magnoliopsida / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenols / administration & dosage
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Phenols / pharmacokinetics*
  • Polyphenols
  • Ribes / chemistry
  • Vaccinium myrtillus / chemistry
  • Vaccinium vitis-idaea / chemistry

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Polyphenols