Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 40649401 DOI: 10.3390/molecules30132888
Increasing Life Expectancy with Plant Polyphenols: Lessons from the Mediterranean and Japanese Diets.
Molecules 30(13)
Authors: Marco Fiore, Anton B Tonchev, Ruzha Z Pancheva, Tetsumori Yamashima, Sabrina Venditti, Giampiero Ferraguti, Sergio Terracina
Affiliations
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria.
- NutriLect Study Group, Project No. BG-RRP-2.004-0009-C02, Medical University, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria.
- Group on Early Childhood Intervention, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan.
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Abstract
Plant polyphenols have emerged as potent bioactive molecules that can modulate key cellular pathways associated with aging and chronic disorders. The Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese style of life are rich in polyphenol-containing foods and beverages, and epidemiological evidence links these dietary patterns to increased longevity and reduced morbidity. This narrative review examines the chemical description of plant polyphenols, their mechanisms of action, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormetic effects, and how supplementation or a diet rich in these compounds may provide further life extension. We discuss the major classes of polyphenols present in the Mediterranean dietary pattern (e.g., resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol) and in the Japanese diet (e.g., epigallocatechin gallate and soy isoflavones), comparing their biological behaviors and cooperative effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative conditions. We also examine a few preclinical and clinical studies that explain the beneficial impact of these chemicals on aging-associated biomarkers. Furthermore, both dietary habits are characterized by low consumption of processed foods and sugary carbonated drinks and reduced utilization of deep-frying with linoleic acid-rich oils, a practice that reduces the formation of harmful lipid peroxidation products, notably 4-hydroxynonenal, known to be implicated in accelerating the aging process. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is also characterized by a low/moderate daily consumption of wine, mainly red wine. This work debates emerging evidence addressing issues of bioavailability, dosage optimization, and formulation technologies for polyphenol supplementation, also comparing differences and similarities with the vegan and vegetarian diets. We also explore how these chemicals could modulate epigenetic modifications that affect gene expression patterns pertinent to health and aging. In conclusion, we aim to show a consolidated framework for the comprehension of how plant polyphenols could be utilized in nutritional strategies for potentiating life expectancy while stimulating further research on nutraceutical development.
MeSH
Genes, Aging, Diet, Vegetarian, Longevity, Life Expectancy, Diet, Mediterranean, Diet, Food, Antioxidants, Work, Diet, Vegan, Wine, Polyphenols, Dietary Patterns