Proanthocyanidins and hydrolysable tannins: occurrence, dietary intake and pharmacological effects.

ABSTRACT: Tannins are a heterogeneous group of high MW, water-soluble, polyphenolic compounds, naturally present in cereals, leguminous seeds and, predominantly, in many fruits and vegetables, where they provide protection against a wide range of biotic and abiotic stressors. Tannins exert several pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity as well as antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-nutritional and cardio-protective properties. They also seem to exert beneficial effects on metabolic disorders and prevent the onset of several oxidative stress-related diseases. Although the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic data for these phytochemicals are still sparse, gut absorption of these compounds seems to be inversely correlated with the degree of polymerization. Furt

SUBMITTER: Smeriglio A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5429339 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature