Polyphenols

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds that give plants color and protect them from disease, environmental threats and help them recover from injury. Just like plants, we benefit from polyphenols in many ways. They have antioxidants that help to protect your cells from free radical damage and have been found to stabilize blood sugar and fat metabolism. They are also prebiotics that nourish the good bacteria living in your gut, and are micronutrients that work as Miracle-Gro for your neurons. The majority of polyphenols need a little help to be absorbed into your body and best way to do that is by consuming them with good fat. By eating polyphenols in this more potent way, you can experience less inflammation, a healthier gut, and increase your neuron development.

Coffee is the number one source of polyphenols in the Western diet. The type of polyphenols in coffee reduce chronic inflammation, particularly in cells with a high fat content, such as brain cells. This is one way that coffee improves cognitive function. Dark chocolate, blueberries, and grape seeds are also packed with polyphenols. Be aware of the quality of chocolate and blueberries that you eat. A lot of chocolate contains mold toxins that inhibit mitochondria function. European chocolate tends to be lower in toxins because their regulation standards are more strict. Blueberries are heavily sprayed with pesticides and if you tried to eat them exclusively to get the polyphenols you need, you would also be getting a lot of sugar. The polyphenols in grape seed extract are potent in anti-inflammatory properties and protect your brain from oxidative stress, they also improve the fat-burning capability of brown fat. Brown fat is a good type of fat that helps you make energy and gets its color from being loaded with mitochondria.

Fermented foods contain a large amount polyphenols that feed the good bacteria in your gut, which is crucial because there is a direct line from your gut to your brain called the vagus nerve. Eating nutrient dense food improves your gut and brain function so they work more efficiently. When your eat poorly or take antibiotics, your gut and immune system are weakened, become inflamed, your mitochondria are damaged and both your brain and body suffer. The foods you eat and your mental performance are clearly linked, so keeping your gut in tip-top condition is important.

There are over 8,000 types of polyphenols, they are found in tea, coffee, wine, chocolate, vegetables, herbs, and many others. It's important to eat a variety of foods that are rich in polyphenols so you are getting the different types. Some of my favorite ways to get polyphenols are through my morning Bulletproof coffee, broccoli, and dark chocolate. It isn't difficult to incorporate polyphenols into your diet, just be sure to add healthy fat to optimize their benefits.