抄録
Nowadays dietary polyphenols, which are common components of vegetables, fruits, wine, and tea, have become recognized as a functional food factor having a potential role in chemoprevention against many disorders such as several kinds of cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, type II diabetes and neurodegenerative disease. Epidemiological studies and intervention studies have suggested that long-term polyphenol intake exerts favorable effects. However, in general, bioavailability of dietary polyphenols is very low and mostly the inactive conjugated metabolites circulate in the blood stream. Much remains to be investigated. The mechanism underlying disease risk reduction in humans remains largely unclear. What is the real target of polyphenols in vivo? How much is optimal intake for disease prevention or health promotion? The 9th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health was held in Kobe last year, from November 28 to December 1, 2019. Fruitful discussions were held and innovative thinking and new ideas were exchanged.
In this article, current topics and future directions of research on polyphenols and health including contents of lectures at the conference are described according to the following points:
・ ADME (Absorption; Distribution; Metabolism; Excretion) and bioavailability
・Gut microbiota and function of metabolites
・New perspectives on intestinal and endogenous targets
・ Metabolic conversion (conjugation and deconjugation) in target sites
・Brain function and cognitive function
・ Construction of a database (food composition and contents, food intake and its biomarkers) and its practical use
