Polyphenols, natural compounds found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds, coffee, and tea, are known for their strong bitter taste.
Although our bodies don’t absorb them very well, recent research shows that these compounds can still play a significant role in regulating blood sugar and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Polyphenols interact with special receptors in our bodies called type 2 taste receptors (T2R), which are responsible for detecting bitter flavors.
These receptors are not only found in the mouth but also throughout the digestive system.
When polyphenols activate these T2R receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they trigger a series of health benefits, even though the exact mechanisms behind these benefits are still not fully understood.
A team of researchers, led by Professor Naomi Osakabe from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan, has been studying how polyphenols affect blood sugar levels and the risk of diabetes.
Their findings, published in the journal Food Bioscience, shed light on the complex interactions between polyphenols, T2R receptors, and the body’s ability to regulate glucose.
Professor Osakabe and her team focused on understanding how the activation of T2R receptors by polyphenols influences the release of certain hormones in the digestive system.
These hormones, including cholecystokinin (CCK) and incretins like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), play a key role in regulating blood sugar and appetite.
When polyphenols bind to T2R receptors in the GI tract, they stimulate the secretion of these hormones, which help control blood sugar levels by promoting insulin release and regulating how quickly food moves through the digestive system.
The research also suggests that these hormones help regulate appetite and food intake, which can reduce the risk of obesity—a major factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. For example, GLP-1 not only helps manage blood sugar but also signals to the brain to reduce hunger, leading to lower food intake.
Professor Osakabe explains, “The bitterness of polyphenols may help reduce the risk of diabetes and its complications by activating T2R receptors, which in turn regulates blood sugar levels and appetite through the body’s endocrine and nervous systems.”
In conclusion, while polyphenols may not be easily absorbed by our bodies, their ability to activate bitter taste receptors in the digestive system can have a powerful effect on blood sugar regulation and appetite control.
This makes consuming polyphenol-rich foods an important part of reducing the risk of diabetes and maintaining a healthy diet.
Professor Osakabe’s research highlights the importance of including bitter foods like fruits, vegetables, and tea in our diets to help manage blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vitamin D and type2 diabetes, and to people with type 2 diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
