Polyphenols applications in food industry sector

Dietary polyphenols are natural compounds that occur in several foods and plant-derived beverages. They are well known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Epidemiological studies clearly demonstrated that an increased consumption of polyphenol-rich foods may help to decrease metabolic disorders and cancer risk. The positive effect of polyphenols was also demonstrated on the microbiome and on the brain. The versatility of their properties represents an important opportunity for industries to expand their product offers using innovative technologies. Thus the positive influence of polyphenols on wellness means that new technological processes or new functional products can be formulated. Due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, polyphenols can also help to improve, without using chemical additives, the shelf life of foods, guaranteeing high safety levels for the consumers. Lastly, the enormous reservoir of polyphenols present in the food-agricultural waste and food that has exhausted its shelf life could be strongly exploited.