Eating more polyphenols could be the secret to a longer, healthier life. Here’s how

We all know it: eating fruits and vegetables is good for our health. But how much is enough, exactly? The World Health Organisation (WHO) says, to help lower the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer, we should eat at least 400g a day (for context, your typical apple weighs 150g).How well we meet this goal varies around the world. But across the 38 countries in The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (that includes the US and UK), only 15 per cent of people eat the recommended amount. That's worrying because, as you'd expect, fruit and veg contain a smorgasbord of nutrients that keep our brains and bodies in tip-top shape. However, it could be that one class of nutrients, known as polyphenols – the biggest nutritional buzzword of 2025 – is of particular value.The hidden reasons fruits and vegetables are vital for our healthWhen we talk about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, we often f...