Effects of polyphenols on cardio-metabolic risk factors and risk of type 2 diabetes. A joint position statement of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the Italian Society of Diabetology (SID), the Italian Association of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition (ADI) and the Italian Association of Medical Diabetologists (AMD)

Aim: Accumulating evidence support a role of polyphenols in the prevention of chronic diseases, i.e. type 2 diabetes (DMT2), cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. In the present manuscript, the effect of polyphenol/phenolic compounds on the main cardio-metabolic risk factors (body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose concentrations, plasma lipids, inflammation and oxidative stress) in humans will be discussed. Data synthesis: Epidemiological evidence supports the beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich diets in the prevention of T2D risk. However, the available evidence from the randomized controlled clinical trials did not allow to identify specific phenolic compounds or polyphenol-rich foods that effectively improve cardio-metabolic risk factors. The most promising results in term of management of cardio-metabolic risk factors derive from RCTs based on long-term intake of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages. Therefore, future studies should focus on a diet containing different class of polyphenols rather than a specific food or phenolic compound. The hypothesis is that a polyphenol-rich diet may have a pleiotropic effect on cardiometabolic risk factors thanks to the specific action of different polyphenol subclasses. Conclusion: The lack of conclusive evidence on polyphenol effectiveness in the management of cardio-metabolic risk factors does not allow to recommend their use as supplements to reduce T2D and CVD risk. However, the daily consumption of naturally polyphenol-rich foods and beverages might be advised according to the current nutritional dietary recommendation.