But … heart benefits of phenolic compounds not physiologically relevant, says study

Research has called into question the role of plant polyphenols in cardiovascular health, by finding that their supposed anti-platelet activities are only relevant at high, and physiologically unattainable, concentrations. Writing in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, researchers from the UK reported that only high concentrations – more than 50mmol/litre – in blood had anti-platelet effects in vitro and that, because such concentrations are unlikely to be attained in circulation, “It is doubtful whether consumption of dietary phenolics in nutritionally attainable amounts plays a major role in the inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation in humans”.