Polyphenols from God’s Garden

By Deborah Ray

A new German study, from Rudolf Wild GmbH and CRO, reveals the potential role of polyphenols to boost immune function. What are polyphenols? God’s garden is a rich variety of fruits and vegetables, nutrients, flavors, and health benefits now found in scientific laboratories to contain certain natural chemicals called phytochemicals.  Polyphenols are one class of these natural plant chemicals found in all fruits and vegetables given some of them their distinct color. Polyphenols are also known for their antioxidant ability. Antioxidants are the balance to free radicals in the wisdom of God’s system of balance, described in detail in Scripture. Weakness is balanced with power, joy with sorrow, and faith with despair.

Polyphenols are found in green tea, chocolate, apples, onions, citrus fruits, soy, berries and cherries. There are several sub-classes of polyphenols including catechins or flavonols (tea is a rich source), anthocyanins (berries are a particularly good source), flavonoids, phenolic acids such as ellagic acid, tannins (think nuts), lignans (think flax seed), to name but a few. Hundreds of chemicals have been identified from plants that populate the polyphenolic category. Many of these polyphenols are unique. Think of the unique polyphenols in cranberries that help prevent bacteria from sticking to our mucous membranes (mouth and bladder to prevent gum disease and bladder infections).

When our immune systems are stressed with free radicals, we can balance their effect with antioxidants from dietary sources and supplementation. God’s garden of fruits and vegetables are rich supplies of phytochemicals that have anti-oxidant properties. Many degenerative diseases are now termed to be those of oxidative stress, that is, we lack the anti-oxidants to balance the stress of free radicals. Asthma, diabetes, cancer, cataracts, Parkinson’s, heart disease are but a few of the disease conditions associated with oxidative stress. Many physicians believe the incidence of diseases of oxidative stress has increased because the typical American diet is full of processed foods rich in trans fats, processed grains, and sugars lacking in antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients. We no longer eat as God provided to nourish our bodies as we read in Scripture.

This new German study studies the role of polyphenols as an immune booster. Nearly hundred people suffering from the common cold consumed either a polyphenolic-rich drink or a control drink two times a day over 10 days. At the end of the study, the difference between the two groups according was “highly significant” according to the researchers. There was significant decrease in stuffy noses, sore throat, headache and joint aches, hoarseness, cough, and general feeling of sickness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes the average American suffers from 4-6 bouts of colds and flu a year. Preventing those colds or limiting their suffering is a true blessing to millions of Americans.

The German researchers made their polyphenolic-rich drink of green tea, grape seed and grape skins, as well as shiitake mushrooms. We all can have easy access to a nutritious drink rich in the blessings of plant chemicals including polyphenols. Fruit of the Spirit contains whole purees of grapes, bilberries, as well as other fruits and alkalinizing minerals. Grapes, apples, and bilberries are particularly rich sources of polyphenols. Because Fruit of the Spirit is the whole fruit puree (skin, seeds, and the fruit), you can count on it as a good source of the polyphenols that tastes good, is affordable, and has the highest quality. Flash pasteurization of Fruit of the Spirit (in less than 10 seconds) preserves nutrients such as polyphenols and other antioxidants. Contrast that with broccoli cooked in a microwave now known to destroy nearly 90% of its liable nutrients.

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables raises our tissue stores of important nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals. It is the single most important thing we can all do to nourish the temple of our body each day.  Nine to eleven servings a day is optimal. We can all add five servings each day with a single serving, just one ounce of Fruit of the Spirit. What a blessing for our good health!