Diet and Brain Health: Which Role for Polyphenols?

Title:Diet and Brain Health: Which Role for Polyphenols?

Volume: 24 Issue: 2

Author(s): Vanessa Castelli, Davide Grassi, Raffaella Bocale, Michele d'Angelo, Andrea Antonosante, Annamaria Cimini, Claudio Ferri and Giovambattista Desideri*

Affiliation:

• Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila,Italy

Keywords: Polyphenols, diet, brain health, aging, oxidative stress, cognitive deterioration.

Abstract: Background: The aging of western societies is leading to a dramatic increase in the prevalence of chronic conditions, threatening the health status and then the sustainability of our healthcare systems. In particular, dementia is being increasingly recognized as a public health priority, given its enormous socioeconomic burdens further amplified by the absence of treatments really effective in improving the clinical course of the disease.

Methods: The question of whether some degree of cognitive deterioration is an inevitable part of aging or should be considered as a pathological pre-stage of dementia is currently debated. This is a field in need of research because accelerated brain aging as well as further decline in cognition might be preventable in the early stages of cognitive impairment. Herein, we discuss evidence from clinical and experimental studies on the role of polyphenols in preserving cognitive performance across life.

Results: In recent years, the possibility of favorably influencing the cognitive trajectory through promotion of lifestyle modifications has been increasingly investigated. In particular, the relationship between nutritional habits and brain health has attracted special attention. Dietary polyphenols exhibit a strong potential to promote brain due to their efficacy in protecting neurons against oxidative stress-induced injury, suppressing neuroinflammation and in ameliorating cardiovascular risk factor control and cardiovascular function thus counteracting neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration.

Conclusion: Emerging evidence suggest that dietary polyphenols, in particular flavonoids, may exert beneficial effects on the central nervous system thus representing a potential tool to preserve cognitive performance throught senescence.

Cite this article as:

Castelli Vanessa, Grassi Davide, Bocale Raffaella, d'Angelo Michele , Antonosante Andrea, Cimini Annamaria, Ferri Claudio and Desideri Giovambattista*, Diet and Brain Health: Which Role for Polyphenols?, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2018; 24 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612824666171213100449