Polyphenols are GLP-1 boosters due to their ability to inhibit DPP-4. Read on to understand…
January 20, 2025
Contributing Authors: Team TRILITY / ACEND
In recent years, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has gained significant attention for its role in regulating blood sugar levels and supporting metabolic health. GLP-1 is an incretin hormone produced in the intestines in response to food intake, stimulating insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon release. However, its effects are short-lived due to rapid degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), limiting its ability to help regulate blood sugar effectively (Gulati & Singh, 2017).
A growing body of research suggests that certain polyphenols—bioactive compounds found in plants—naturally inhibit DPP-4, extending the half-life of GLP-1 and improving insulin response. This article explores how polyphenols function as natural DPP-4 inhibitors and their potential impact on metabolic health.
DPP-4 is an enzyme responsible for degrading GLP-1 and another key incretin hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). By cleaving these hormones, DPP-4 significantly reduces their ability to stimulate insulin release, which can lead to impaired glucose metabolism (Kawser et al., 2019).
DPP-4 inhibitors are commonly prescribed for individuals with type 2 diabetes to prevent the degradation of GLP-1, allowing it to remain active for longer periods. However, certain naturally occurring polyphenols found in food may have similar inhibitory effects on DPP-4, offering a diet-based approach to supporting GLP-1 activity.
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and wine. Several studies have demonstrated their potential in inhibiting DPP-4 activity, which enhances GLP-1 secretion and insulin sensitivity (Zhu et al., 2020).
Research suggests that polyphenols can bind to the active site of DPP-4, preventing it from interacting with and degrading GLP-1. This mechanism effectively prolongs the half-life of GLP-1, allowing for sustained insulin secretion and better glucose control (Bruckbauer & Zemel, 2018).
Including polyphenol-rich foods in the diet can naturally enhance GLP-1 levels and improve metabolic function. Some of the most well-researched polyphenol-rich foods that have shown potential DPP-4 inhibitory properties include:
By regularly consuming these foods, individuals may naturally support their GLP-1 activity and improve overall blood sugar control.
Given their ability to inhibit DPP-4, polyphenols offer several metabolic health benefits, particularly for individuals managing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes:
To take advantage of polyphenols’ DPP-4 inhibitory properties, consider adding more of the following foods into your daily routine:
Scientific research continues to uncover the power of polyphenols as natural DPP-4 inhibitors, highlighting their potential to support GLP-1 activity and improve metabolic health. While pharmaceutical DPP-4 inhibitors are widely used for diabetes management, incorporating polyphenol-rich foods into the diet presents a natural, food-based approach to enhancing GLP-1 levels and blood sugar control.
For those looking to support healthy glucose metabolism naturally, increasing the intake of polyphenol-rich foods may be a beneficial strategy—one that aligns with the growing food-as-medicine movement.