Bioactive procyanidins from dietary sources: The relationship between bioactivity and polymerization degree

Background: Procyanidins, commonly found in plant natural sources, are polymerized forms of flavanols, which are a subclass of flavonoids. They have been reported to exhibit broad benefits to human health and used in the prevention of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. Bioactivities of procyanidins depend on many factors including the structures of procyanidins. Differences in composition of the monomers and degree of polymerization (DP) contribute to the variation in procyanidins.