It was during the 16th century that explorers like Vasco da Gama and Magellan first observed that sailors, with diets lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables, developed the debilitating and often fatal disease scurvy.
Then in 1747 James Lind, a British naval surgeon, conducted one of the first clinical trials, showing that citrus fruits could prevent scurvy, thus avoiding the severe health problems that had become rampant among sailors so important to the British empire. Because of this, by the 1790’s, the British Royal Navy issued lime juice to sailors, earning them the nickname ‘limeys’.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and in 2023 the US imported about 22,000 tons of vitamin C, with a market value of about $1.9 billion.¹ Today, scurvy is rare in the US, but vitamin C is the most widely used vitamin, taken for its wide ranging health benefits such as antioxidant activity, immune support, and cellular health.
Though vitamin C is generally used as a single ingredient or with some supplemental bioflavonoids, it naturally occurs in fruits and plants alongside a significant content of a broad range of polyphenolic compounds.
Vitamin C and polyphenols
Vitamin C is ubiquitous in nature, occurring in thousands of fruits, berries and vegetable sources that also produce multiple types of highly complex polyphenols. Studies note that plants produce both vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) and polyphenols to perform a wide range of essential protective benefits. These include:
Protection against stress Polyphenols help plants cope with biotic stresses such as pests and pathogens, also abiotic stresses from UV radiation, drought and temperature extremes.²
Antioxidant Polyphenols act as antioxidants to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during stress.²
Structural and developmental roles Polyphenols like lignins are critical for cell wall strength and rigidity, aiding in structural integrity and defense against physical damage.³
The activity of polyphenols in plants extends to humans
Both vitamin C and polyphenols in combination result in many of the same systemic and protective benefits in humans as in their plant origins. Some scientifically validated examples are:
1. Protection of DNA
DNA in both humans and plants is subjected to various types of damage from UV radiation, benzopyrenes, aflatoxins and other environmental factors. Studies show that naturally occurring polyphenols provide mechanisms of protection and repair to this cellular damage.⁴
2. Cellular structure and development
Studies show that polyphenols influence the preservation of telomere length, benefiting the function of stem cells and tissue regeneration. These studies also note that they play a key role in supporting healthy longevity and improved brain function.⁵⁻⁶
3. Antioxidant benefits support heart health in humans
The antioxidant properties of polyphenols help to reduce chronic inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease, thus supporting heart health.⁷
4. Improvement in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels
Two recent studies link higher polyphenol consumption to lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, as well as higher HDL (good) cholesterol.⁷⁻⁸
5. Improved brain function
Polyphenol consumption shows benefits in memory, learning and neurocognitive performance due to neuroprotective actions.⁵
Unique Polyphenol-C formulation adds health and value
Today’s marketplace contains many hundreds of options and delivery systems for vitamin C. For the consumer these offer a key, inexpensive way to obtain the many essential health benefits of the vitamin. However, when one goes back to the natural sources of vitamin C one sees how in nature it combines with sources of complex polyphenols that create synergistic benefits far beyond vitamin C alone.
For the companies and brands serving the many consumers who look for a more complete, premium approach to health, Polyphenol-C™ meets that demand by providing a wide spectrum of fruit and berry polyphenols with non-GMO vitamin C.
Each gram of Polyphenol-C contains: 600mg of Non-GMO vitamin C and 400mg of fruit extracts/concentrates standardized to 25% polyphenols (100mg total polyphenols). The polyphenols are sourced from whole grape, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry.
Polyphenol-C is one result of Ethical Naturals' (ENI) long-term research and development into the complex sourcing, analysis and formulation of complex polyphenols. Its other products in this category include: VinCare, a patented whole grape extract supported by a clinical study demonstrating cardiovascular benefits; ResVinol, a combination of resveratrol and red wine extract; Resveratrue, 98% natural resveratrol; and Cranberex, an extract of Oregon cranberry supported by clinical studies at Rutgers University showing Urinary Tract Health benefits. Polyphenol-C combines the efforts of this work into a mainstream product with definable, core benefits.
The above referenced studies summarize many of the of the important health benefits of Polyphenol-C, and these can also be used to support structure/function (S/F) claims that include:
- Essential co-factor for essential enzyme systems
- Essential for regeneration of connective tissue and joints
- Antioxidant
- Immune support
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Supports brain health
Vitamin C with standardized polyphenol sources follows nature’s footsteps
Cal Bewicke, CEO of ENI states: “Our ‘From Field to Finished Product’ has been a core, guiding principal of our company since its founding: sourcing and extracting key compounds from natural sources and developing them into nutritional ingredients with scientifically supported benefits. Polyphenol-C combines these goals into a product that has greater nutritional value and benefits for both brands and consumers.”
References
- World Integrated Trade Solution. European Union Vitamin C and its derivatives, unmixed imports by country in 2023.
- Zagoskina, N.V.; et al. Polyphenols in Plants: Structure, Biosynthesis, Abiotic Stress Regulation, and Practical Applications (Review). Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 9;24(18):13874.
- Dini, I.; et al. Recent Advances in Natural Polyphenol Research. Molecules. 2022 Dec 11;27(24):8777.
- Majidinia, M.; et al. Polyphenols: Major regulators of key components of DNA damage response in cancer. DNA Repair. 2019. Vol. 82, 102679.
- Vauzour, D. Dietary polyphenols as modulators of brain functions: biological actions and molecular mechanisms underpinning their beneficial effects. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:914273.
- Pereira, Q.C.; et al. The Molecular Mechanism of Polyphenols in the Regulation of Ageing Hallmarks. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 14;24(6):5508.
- Tangney, C.C.; et al. Polyphenols, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2013 May;15(5):324.
- Cheng, Y.C.; et al. Polyphenols and Oxidative Stress in Atherosclerosis-Related Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8526438.
