A polyphenol is a naturally occurring chemical compound that contains multiple
phenol groups—chemical structures consisting of an aromatic ring bonded to a hydroxyl (–OH) group.
Polyphenols are particularly common in plants, where they can contribute to:
- colour
- flavour
- aroma and
- defence against environmental stress
Examples include:
In food, polyphenols are often discussed because many have
antioxidant properties, meaning they can react with and help neutralise certain reactive chemical species. While the term polyphenol describes a broad chemical family; individual polyphenols can have very different biological effects.