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Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants, characterized by the presence of more than one phenol unit or building block per molecule. Polyphenols are generally divided into hydrolyzable tannins (gallic acid esters of glucose and other sugars) and phenylpropanoids, such as lignins, flavonoids, and condensed tannins.

The division of polyphenols into tannins, lignins, and flavonoids is derived from the variety of simple polyphenolic units derived from secondary plant metabolism of the shikimate pathway^[1] as well as classical divisions based upon the relative importance of each base component to different fields of study. Tannin chemistry originated in the importance of tannic acid to the tanning industry; lignins to the chemistry of soil and plant structure; and flavonoids to the chemistry of plant secondary metabolites for plant defense, and flower color (e.g. from anthocyanins).

The largest and best studied polyphenols are the flavonoids, which include several thousand compounds, among them the flavonols, flavones, catechins, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and isoflavonoids.^[2]

The most abundant polyphenols are the condensed tannins, found in virtually all families of plants, and comprising up to 50% of the dry weight of leaves. The convergent evolution of tannin-rich plant communities has occurred on nutrient-poor acidic soils throughout the world. Tannins were once believed to function as anti-herbivore defenses, but more and more ecologists now recognize them as important controllers of decomposition and nitrogen cycling processes. As concern grows about global warming, there is great interest to better understand the role of polyphenols as regulators of carbon cycling, particularly in northern boreal forests.

Polyphenol Subcategories Polyphenol Articles Resveratrol Red Wine Supplement Health Benefits by Gen Wright Jun 07, 2009 Though the French love their rich and fat laden foods, yet they do not suffer from cardiovascular problems as much as Americans or the Scottish do. This paradox had puzzled the scientists across the world before they discovered resveratrol, the mirac... What Resveratrol Dosage is Effective in Fighting Disease? by Karen Graham May 04, 2009 What is resveratrol and what resveratrol dosage is effective in fighting disease is a question that scientists have been asking and researching for a few years now. Before we look at the necessary dosage it is a good idea to learn exactly what resver... A Green Tea Antioxidant Prevents Skin Cancer by Karen Graham Mar 25, 2009 A green tea antioxidant that prevents skin cancer is the result of scientific research into the polyphenols of Camellia sinensis. A polyphenol is a compound that is a metabolite of a plant and it just so happens that green tea antioxidants are in fac... Green Tea and its Metabolic Influences by Francis Adam Mar 15, 2009 • Green tea is a tea that has found its origination from the plant called Camellia sinensis. It is one type out of the four tea types namely white, green, black, and oolong. • White tea is called white because it is the least processed type, ... Good News about Green Tea Antioxidants- Read How They Could Save Your Life by Ric Hawkins Feb 04, 2009 Let's face it, we seem to hear more and more now about the green tea antioxidant and maybe we have become a little blasé about it. But they could truly help save your life. The green tea antioxidant is over 100 times more powerful than vitami... Green tea and its numerous health benefits by David Maillie Jun 01, 2006 Copyright 2006 David Maillie The Asian community has used different teas and herbal remedies since before the Great wall of China (over 3000 years ago) and green tea has stood out as one of its hallmark and most helpful constituents. Green tea ...