Phenolic compounds are present in all plant organs and are therefore an integral part of the human diet. They have been shown to play important roles in human health. Indeed, high intakes of tea, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are rich in phenolic compounds, have been linked to lowered risks of many chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation, and many degenerative diseases. These potential beneficial health effects of phenolic compounds are a resultof their biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activities. In this paper, the mechanisms of the biological actions of phenolic compounds will be presented and discussed.
