Human metabolic pathways of dietary flavonoids and cinnamates

Flavonoids and cinnamates are widespread phenolic secondary metabolites syn thesized by plants for defensive purposes. Many foods and beverages contain high levels of phenolic compounds. Certain phenolics in the diet are parti cularly bioactive and have pronounced effects on mammalian cells. These eff ects, together with epidemiological studies and animal models, have led to the hypothesis that dietary phenolics contribute to the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. This paper examines the biochemistry o f the uptake and metabolic route of two groups of plant phenolics, the flav onols and hydroxycinnamates.