Abstract:

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites that are ubiquitous in plant-based foods, including flavonoid, caffeic
acid, chlorogenic acid, etc. Growing evidence indicates that beverage, fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols can reduce
the incidence of a number of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, even the occurrence and
development of cancer. These protective effects on health are attributed, at least in part, to the presence of polyphenols
with antioxidant, antibacterial, immunoenhancing effects and the physiological activities involved in regulating nutrient
metabolism. This review discusses the impact of polyphenols on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in relation to the
activities of related enzymes, the expression of related genes, insulin secretion, and the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Key words: polyphenols, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, glucose transporter, insulin, gut hormones, gene expression