Dietary Polyphenols as Potential Therapeutic Agents in Type 2 Diabetes Management: Advances and Opportunities

Adv Nutr. 2024 Nov 18:100346. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100346. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Poor dietary intake or unhealthy lifestyle contributes to various health disorders, including postprandial hyperglycemia, leading to type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Reduction of postprandial glucose levels through diet is a key strategy for preventing and managing T2DM. Thus, it is essential to understand how dietary components affect glycemic regulation. Dietary polyphenols (DPs), such as anthocyanins and other phenolics found in various fruits and vegetables, are often recommended for their potential health benefits, though their systemic effectiveness is subject to ongoing debate. Therefore, this review assesses the current and historical evidence of DPs bioactivities, which regulate crucial metabolic markers to lower postprandial hyperglycemia. Significant bioactivities such as modulation of glucose transporters, activation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and regulation of incretins are discussed, along with prospects for diet-induced therapeutics to prevent the onset of T2DM. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review uniquely synthesizes both current and historical data on the metabolic bioactivities of dietary polyphenols (DPs), particularly focusing on their mechanisms; such as modulation of glucose transporters, AMPK activation, and incretin regulation that may help lower postprandial hyperglycemia, offering a more integrated understanding of diet-induced strategies for T2DM prevention.

Keywords: AMPK; DPP4; Postprandial hyperglycemia; anthocyanin; berry; glucagon-like peptide-1; glucose transporter; polyphenol; type-2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Review