A site dedicated to a high polyphenol diet!
 

What are polyphenols?

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found plants, seeds, spices. Their content is highest in spices, dried herbs as well as in tea, coffee and red wine!

We have known polyphenols are good for us since the mid-80’s, however more recently its benefits towards reduced risk of cancer and diabetes and improved cardiovascular health have come to light.

There are even some studies to suggest prolonged life and anti-aging effects!

Although scientifically known about, it wasn’t until The SIRTfood Diet book that turned a high polyphenol diet into a trend.

Dieticians Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten looked at the healthiest populations in the world and what they had in common. The results showed polyphenols to be the common denominator.

Although the Italian, Mediterranean and Japanese diets had higher fat contents than other cultures and countries, the longevity of their population was higher and their rate of heart disease lower.

Do you remember the day you switched on the news and they said a glass of red wine each evening was good for you? Or dark chocolate has high antioxidants and we should all eat more good quality dark chocolate ?  Or when they said people who drink caffeine live longer? Well they have all had links to their polyphenol content.

Did you know that anti-oxidants are also part of the polyphenol group? They are actually a subset of the polyphenol family.

Polyphenols also give food their strong flavours; it gives tea and coffee their strong flavours, gives the distinct flavour of herbs (which get stronger when dried thus the higher polyphenol content), the tannin in red wine and the heat of chillies.

In summary you have been eating and drinking polyphenols all of your life!

How does it help me lose weight?

Well this is where SIRTFood diet was revolutionary.

Polyphenols activate certain receptors in the body called Sirtuins, which have proven to increase the body’s metabolic rate and thus increase calorie burn. This is on a microscopic level.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating…or not eating it rather! What SIRTfood diet offers is to lose 7 pounds in 7 days. Now while that slogan was needed to catch the public’s attention (cause let’s face it, who doesn’t want to lose weight fast?) this diet allows you to change the way you eat and in time you will follow it without effort and thought.

Imagine losing weight and finding a way to sustain the weight loss ?

It’s a great diet which has proven to lose more fat than muscle mass (which many diets are guilty of). It also decreases your appetite and your cravings.

It is also a forgiving diet. You can easily have a night out and indulge and not pile the pounds back on, why? Because this is a lifestyle change not a strict diet.

Where does Polyphoods come into it?

I adapted to the SIRTfood life back in 2017 after my mentor recommended this diet to me. She had managed to lose 10kg and keep it off at the age of 65! I haven’t looked back since!

As Persian I found many of our ingredients were high in SIRTFood. So naturally as my inner Geek Goddess woke up, I started researching it and realised there are many many more foods high in polyphnoel not featured in the book. That’s when I started writing my own recipes.

I had the recipes piling up and I felt it was time to share it with those who wish to follow a high polyphenol diet.

How do I start?

Well if you are interested in starting, I suggest you start with the SIRTFood diet book which is available here:

My site is based on the recipes that use the concept of the diet. You can use my diet as part of the SIRTFood diet or just use it a healthy guide to better eating!

Where is the science?

Polyphenols are complex structures and have many different subgroups.

Anything from antioxidants to flavanols which you have heard is good for you comes from polyphenols.

Below are just some examples:

Source: https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/21/2/228/783906

So that’s the story of polyphenols! Hope you enjoy my site.

Happy eating everyone !

Be sure to send me comments and queries.