POLYPHENOLS: ANTIOXIDANT MAVERICK TO TACKLE NON - COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

In recent years, healthy diet is gaining increased importance in the face of rampant Non - communicable diseases (NCDs) scenario India is reverberating with. Polyphenols, forming largest category of phytochemicals, are gaining unprecedented interest as ‘life span esse ntials' in scientific settings. They are ubiquitous plant secondary metabolites, structurally diversified group ranging from simple phenols i.e. phenolic acids to complex phenols i.e. condensed tannins. Their antioxidant mechanisms: both direct (free radic al scavenging, metal chelation) and indirect (cell signal modulation, phytochemical hormetic pathways) have been well - corroborated to attenuate oxidative stress and eventually culminates in health promotion and decreased incidence of NCDs. In this line, re commended dietary allowance has not been set precisely yet and in general, calls for increased frequency of their consumption from varied plant sources (fruits, vegetables, whole cereals, pulses, nuts) on a long term basis to reap its benefits