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A recent review led by Professor Naomi Osakabe from the Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, sheds light on the intriguing role of bitter polyphenols in regulating blood sugar levels, offering potential insights into reducing the risk of type II diabetes and obesity. The study, published in the journal Food Bioscience, explores the complex interaction between polyphenols and human bitter taste receptors, also known as type 2 taste receptors (T2R).
Polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds found in various plants, have long been recognized for their health benefits, despite their poor absorption in the human body. One of the key mysteries surrounding polyphenols is how they manage to influence glucose tolerance and reduce the risk of diabetes, even when they remain largely unabsorbed.
The review by Professor Osakabe and her team, which includes researchers from Japan and Italy, focuses on the interaction between polyphenols and T2Rs, particularly those expressed along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. T2Rs, typically associated with the perception of bitter taste in the oral cavity, are also expressed in various tissues outside the mouth, including the GI tract.
The researchers highlight that when polyphenols activate T2Rs in the GI tract, they trigger the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK) and incretins. These hormones, including glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), play a crucial role in regulating blood glucose homeostasis and appetite.
CCK and GLP-1 not only influence insulin secretion but also regulate food intake and GI motility, mechanisms that collectively contribute to reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Professor Osakabe explains, “The GI hormones are known to regulate feeding behavior and maintain glucose tolerance via the endocrine and nervous systems; thus, it is possible that the bitterness of polyphenols helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and its complications, through T2R activation.”
Despite the substantial progress made in understanding the relationship between polyphenols and T2Rs, there remains a significant gap in knowledge. With over 8,000 types of polyphenols and 25 types of human T2Rs, the precise scientific mechanisms behind the reported health benefits are still not fully understood. This review serves as a crucial step toward filling that gap and underscores the potential of polyphenols as a dietary strategy for preventing diabetes and obesity.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that the consumption of bitter polyphenols could play a vital role in maintaining blood sugar levels and regulating appetite, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes and obesity. Professor Osakabe emphasizes the importance of incorporating polyphenol-rich foods into the diet as a preventive measure against these metabolic disorders.
For more detailed insights, the study can be accessed in Food Bioscience under the title “Gastrointestinal hormone-mediated beneficial bioactivities of bitter polyphenols.”
