Inflammation occurs naturally in the body but when it goes wrong or goes on too long, it can trigger disease processes. Uncontrolled inflammation plays a role in many major diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes andAlzheimer's disease.
Diets rich in fruits and vegetables, which contain polyphenols, protect against age-related inflammation and chronic diseases.
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Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases is already emerging. The health effects of polyphenols depend on the amount consumed and on their bioavailability.
Sian Richardson, said: "The results of our study suggest that (poly)phenols derived from onions, turmeric, red grapes,green tea and açai berries may help reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in people at risk of chronic inflammation.
"Older people are more susceptible to chronic inflammation and as such they may benefit from supplementing their diets with isorhamnetin, resveratrol, curcumin and vanillic acid or with food sources that yield these bioactive molecules."