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Approved Research

Gene-diet interaction analysis to reveal individual differences in health effects of polyphenols

Principal Investigator: Dr Xiaolong Xing
Approved Research ID: 90831
Approval date: August 9th 2022

Lay summary

The intake of polyphenols-enriched foods is inversely associated with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of polyphenols is quite different among individuals, leading to individual differences in the health effects of polyphenols. This leads to a misunderstanding of the health effects of polyphenols. Genetic variation is a main driver of the inter-individual variability of polyphenols. Without identifying key genetic variants that affect polyphenol activity, the number of studies with conflicting results will likely continue to increase. This will prevent policy makers to establish evidence-based dietary guidelines, consumers will not be convinced to adopt the recommended dietary habits and the food and nutraceutical industry will be hesitant to invest in product innovation that gets the highest health benefit from polyphenol-enriched products. The main goal of the current project, therefore, is to address individual differences in the cardiometabolic health effects of polyphenolic foods.

We aim to assess the association between polyphenols and cardiometabolic diseases and to identify key genetic factors contributing to the differences in the health effects of polyphenols, so as to guide personalized diet advice.

The duration of this project is 3 years. Promisingly, the project will help to better understand the health effects of polyphenols and help to identify key genetic factors that lead to individual differences in the cardiometabolic health effects of polyphenols. It will provide scientific basis for precision nutrition and personalized diet.