priors.science/reviews/polyphenols-antioxidants

Polyphenols and Antioxidants

The current evidence on 15 claims, ordered from most established to most contested. Each score is the panel’s evidence certainty — how firmly the literature supports the claim as stated.

15claims tracked
236primary papers reviewed
9 Aug 2026latest evidence review
Weeklyre-scored against new papers
5 Established · 4 Likely · 3 Uncertain · 3 Doubtful  |  four-reviewer panel · PICO Framework
ClaimStandingEvidence certaintyCorpus
Vitamin E and cardiovascular eventsSupEstablished87%19
Cocoa flavanols improve endothelial functionCVEstablished86%16
Polyphenol bioavailability is lowBioEstablished85%14
Beta-carotene raises smoker lung cancer riskCancEstablished85%14
Cocoa flavanols lower blood pressureCVEstablished85%20
Vitamin C and common coldSupLong-standingLikely81%20
Antioxidant supplements and mortalitySupLong-standingLikely80%14
Gut microbiota metabolise polyphenolsBioLikely77%14
Flavonoids lower cardiovascular disease mortalityCVLikely71%20
Polyphenols and insulin sensitivityMetUncertain60%21
Flavonoids and cognitive declineCogUncertain55%14
Berry anthocyanins and memoryCogUncertain53%14
Resveratrol and glycaemic control type 2 diabetesMetDoubtful49%13
Green tea catechins and body weightMetDoubtful47%14
Polyphenols and colorectal cancer riskCancDoubtful45%15
Track Polyphenols and Antioxidants.
These claims are re-scored against new papers every week. Track this topic for the full review, including each claim’s challenge and the papers behind it.
Track this topic →
Standing — what the evidence certainty means
Established≥ 85%Strong, consistent evidence. Unlikely to change.
Likely70–84%Well supported, with some gaps or indirect evidence.
Uncertain50–69%Mixed or limited evidence. Genuinely open.
Doubtful30–49%Little support; the weight of evidence leans against it.
Refuted< 30%The evidence contradicts it — confidently false as stated.
Where the evidence sits in time
Long-standingMost of this evidence is older than the rest of this field.