Possible Side Effects of Polyphenols and Their Interactions with Medicines.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the potential negative health effects of polyphenols, including their ability to block iron uptake, particularly in vulnerable subpopulations.
Results Summary
The study highlights that polyphenols can inhibit iron absorption, which may be harmful in certain subpopulations, and discusses other adverse effects such as digestive enzyme inhibition, microbiota disruption, drug interactions, and hormonal imbalances.
Population
Vulnerable subpopulations (specific groups not detailed in the abstract).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
Mentioned interactions with drugs and potential disruption of intestinal microbiota.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
polyphenols | decrease | human health | - | - | exert harmful effects | #1 |
polyphenols | decrease | human health | - | - | possible side effects | #2 |
polyphenols | decrease | iron uptake | some subpopulations | - | block iron uptake | #3 |
polyphenols | decrease | digestive enzymes | - | - | inhibition | #4 |
polyphenols | decrease | intestinal microbiota | - | - | inhibition | #5 |
polyphenols | neutral | drugs | - | - | interactions | #6 |
polyphenols | neutral | hormonal balance | - | - | impact | #7 |
polyphenols | increase | oxidative stress | - | - | prooxidative activity | #8 |
polyphenols | increase | genetic material | - | - | mutagenic effects | #9 |
polyphenols | increase | cancer risk | - | - | carcinogenic effects | #10 |
polyphenols | increase | genetic material | - | - | genotoxic effects | #11 |
Polyphenols are an important component of plant-derived food with a wide spectrum of beneficial effects on human health. For many years, they have aroused great interest, especially due to their antioxidant properties, which are used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Unfortunately, as with any chemical substance, depending on the conditions, dose, and interactions with the environment, it is possible for polyphenols to also exert harmful effects. This review presents a comprehensive current state of the knowledge on the negative impact of polyphenols on human health, describing the possible side effects of polyphenol intake, especially in the form of supplements. The review begins with a brief overview of the physiological role of polyphenols and their potential use in disease prevention, followed by the harmful effects of polyphenols which are exerted in particular situations. The individual chapters discuss the consequences of polyphenols' ability to block iron uptake, which in some subpopulations can be harmful, as well as the possible inhibition of digestive enzymes, inhibition of intestinal microbiota, interactions of polyphenolic compounds with drugs, and impact on hormonal balance. Finally, the prooxidative activity of polyphenols as well as their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and genotoxic effects are presented. According to the authors, there is a need to raise public awareness about the possible side effects of polyphenols supplementation, especially in the case of vulnerable subpopulations.