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Polyphenols are a hot topic. They offer our bodies many health benefits and can help to repair damage to our cells. What you may not know is that there are thousands of different polyphenols and each type offers different benefits. Today we are going to explore the polyphenols that make wine and Atrantil good for your health — tannins.

Polyphenols in Wine and Atrantil that Help Your Health

Polyphenols in Wine and Atrantil that Help Your Health

Why are there different categories of polyphenols and what do they mean?

Polyphenols are compounds that naturally occur in plant-based foods. Seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, teas, chocolate, and any other foods that are derived from plants contain polyphenols. 

Polyphenols are broken into 4 main classes:

  • Phenolic acids
  • Flavonoids
  • Stilbenes
  • Lignans

The structure of the polyphenol itself determines classes and categories. The following are different considerations when determining the class or category of a polyphenol:

  • Phenol rings (how many, where they are in the structure, and what they are connected to/with)
  • How many sugar residues are attached to hydroxyl groups
    • An alternative to this is where the sugars attach directly to an aromatic carbon
  • What other compounds do the phenols attach to like carboxylic and organic acids, amines, lipids, or a direct attachment to another phenol

These different structures will determine the class and type of polyphenol being worked with. Depending on the plant it is derived from and its specific makeup, it will contain different phenols and structures. Polyphenols are what give plants their varying colors. They also help to protect the plant and its fruit from whatever elements they may be up against (UV rays, insects, mushrooms, plant-specific diseases, etc.).

When we eat those plants, we receive similar protective elements—UV protection, protection from oxidative stress/damage, and protection from germs.

Why are tannins special?

Tannins are the specific type of polyphenol that make wine and Atrantil so beneficial for our health. 

Tannins are large molecules that give red wines their bitter and dry taste. Because of their bitterness, tannins protect plants from animals. They are found in higher concentrations when plants are young to prevent them from being consumed too early.

This protective quality has allowed tannins to be an area of interest for preservation and keeping products shelf-stable. Tannins are part of what gives red wine its ageability. The tannins protect it while giving it the unique sensation that wine and darker teas have. 

Tannins are also special because they are large molecules that can bond with and transport other molecules throughout the body. Because they are water-soluble it makes them easier for the body to use. 

How tannins in wine and Atrantil help your health

Let’s take a look at some of the wonderful benefits our bodies can receive from tannins.

Antimicrobial benefits of tannins

Since bacteria are becoming antibiotic-resistant, researchers have been looking into natural sources like polyphenols to fight off bacterial infections. Plants are exposed to many different types of bacteria and viruses. The tannins in plants help to protect them from bacteria, fungi, and viruses. So they’ve become a source of interest for humans as well.

Tannins can break down the cell walls of certain microbes and can then enter them to shut them down. Some of the bacteria and viruses that tannins have been successful in fighting according to some studies include:

  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Escherichia coli
  • Escherichia coli
  • Enterococcus faecalis
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Yersinia enterocolitica
  • Listeria innocua
  • Bacillus cereus
  • Influenza A virus
  • Papillomavirus
  • Noroviruses
  • Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Tannins and cancer

Multiple studies have shown the anticancer, chemoprotective, and antimutagenic abilities of tannins. While the research is still ongoing, tannins do appear to be a promising avenue for cancer prevention and treatment.

They also appear to be a great option for delivering cancer treatments since they are large, stable molecules.

Antioxidant potential of tannins

As we know, oxidative stress is a common problem among people these days. Diets, environmental exposure, and sedentary lifestyles all contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and disease development. Oxidative stress is a normal thing our bodies deal with because of the metabolic process in our cells. 

Foods high in antioxidants are a great way to scavenge the free radicals that increase under oxidative stress. Tannins are able to have direct and indirect antioxidant effects in the body. The more hydroxyl groups the more direct antioxidant effects a tannin will have. The more condensed the tannin is, the more indirect effects it will provide the body. 

This information helps us to understand that the structure of the tannin and not necessarily the plant source of it is what offers the body different benefits. 

Tannins and diabetes

Tannins also have been found to have a hypoglycemic effect on blood sugar. This appears to be more beneficial in Type 1 diabetes than Type 2. They’re also beneficial in reducing the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and inflammation.

Tannins for gut health

Tannins have a special place in our hearts at Atrantil because they’re so beneficial for gut health. Tannins help to reduce inflammation in the whole body including the gut. Tannins also have protective effects on the stomach and intestinal lining. 

Tannins help to feed the healthy bacterial strains in the gut microbiome.  While in the gut microbiome, tannins exert their antimicrobial effects by depleting the pathogenic bacteria. This restores balance in your microbiome and helps improve your health. 

Quebracho tannins, found in Atrantil, help to remove pathogenic overgrowth in the small intestines. By pairing quebracho with horse chestnut and peppermint they eradicate archaea (a very difficult type of microorganism to get rid of) in the small intestine by disrupting the cell wall and shutting down the mechanism. 

This helps in reducing bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation/diarrhea. 

How to get more tannins

So with all of these great benefits, you’re probably wondering how to get more tannins. 

Red wines are going to be a great source for tannins. So if you enjoy a glass of wine each day, go for the red because it provides your body with more health benefits. 

Tea is a great source of tannins as well. Darker teas have a higher tannin content to them. 

Drinks that make you want to drink water because your mouth feels dry after consuming them are going to very often have high tannin levels. 

Atrantil is our preferred source of tannins because it doesn’t have any sugar or alcohol in it. You take your supplement 3 times a day and your body reaps the benefits. (Check with your doctor before adding any new supplements to your diet to make sure it won’t interact negatively with conditions or medications you may have.)

Other examples of where to get tannins can be found in this article. 

Let us know what your favorite tannin-filled foods are in the comments below!

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