Bioactive compounds and inflammation: an overview

Purpose Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). Bioactive compounds (BC) may influence the reduction of low-grade inflammation. This narrative review highlights the relationship between CNCDs, inflammation, and ingestion of catechins, curcumin, quercetin, and resveratrol. Methods A PubMed research was conducted in the last 10 years. The search was for human studies, and we selected “case reports”; “clinical study”; “clinical trial”; “clinical trial, phase I”; “clinical trial, phase II”; “clinical trial, phase III”; “clinical trial, phase IV”; “comparative study”; “controlled clinical trial”; “multicenter study”; “observational study”; and “randomized clinical trial”. The research was carried out individually for each BC of the diet, and we selected studies related to CNCDs and risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. The keywords used were “catechin,” “curcumin,” “quercetin,” and “resveratrol”, in addition to “inflammation.” Results There are no recommendations for BC intake. The studies in this review analyzed different doses, forms of presentation, clinical conditions, and periods of supplementation. Most articles on catechin, curcumin, and quercetin had a clear beneficial relationship between inflammation, CNCDs, and risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. On the other hand, studies on resveratrol are inconclusive. Conclusion Some studies have shown beneficial effects of BC; however, the studies are not conclusive. In different situations, BC have no significant effects, and, at other times, they may even have a detrimental effect. Further studies are needed to establish which dose produces beneficial health effects and which clinical conditions can benefit from the intake of dietary sources from these BC.