8x More Polyphenols than Green Tea
Polyphenols are nutrients which plants produce to defend themselves against oxidative stress, inflammation, pathogens, and UV rays, so they're what make palo azul antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, renoprotective, liver-protective, and more. Polyphenols are also what give green tea the plethora of benefits that hundreds of studies (1, 2, 3) have shown.
According to several studies, the total polyphenol content for palo azul is 856 mg gallic acid/ml and green tea scores around 106-430 mg gallic acid/ml. So palo azul has around 2-8x more polyphenols than green tea and 4x more than spirulina.
According to studies, these polyphenols are also what make palo azul blue and fluorescent, so the nutrients which give it its extraordinary blue color are also what make it healthy! However, only a few plants evolved fluorescent polyphenols to defend against UV radiation by absorbing light, so that's why green tea is not fluorescent like palo azul. The blue nutrients are only found in the palo azul wood, so that's why the leaves aren't used, because studies show that the blue polyphenols are what give it the benefits.
Studies also show that palo azul has several types of phytonutrients including flavonoids, catechins, flavones, flavanones, dihydrochalcones, phytosterols, saponins, terpenes and alkaloids.
Studies Show Palo Azul Has 8x More Antioxidants Than Green Tea
WebMD describes polyphenols (phytonutrients), as "micronutrients that naturally occur in plants." These phytochemicals are produced by plants to fight off oxidative stress, inflammation, fungi, bacteria and other diseases.
What types of polyphenols does palo azul have?
A 2021 study mentions that several types of phytonutrients have been identified in palo azul including "flavonoids, polyphenols, phenolic compounds, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones chalcones and dihydrochalcones."
This 2018 study mentions that "phytochemical studies indicate that E. polystachya (palo azul) contains polyphenols. The bioactive components were isolated, and their chemical structure determined to be chalcones, dihydrochalcones, and flavonoids."
Another 2018 study similarly concluded that "phytochemical studies indicate that E. polystachya contains polyphenols, and previous chemical examination of this species led to the isolation and structural elucidation of several flavonoids."
A 2014 study found that palo azul's "antioxidant activity may be attributed to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds."
This 2011 study also mentions that "phytochemical studies of the aqueous extract of C. genistoides (palo azul) showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and anthraquinones."
A 2008 study showed that "among the E. polystachya components, there can be found polyphenol compounds, tannins, or flavonoid compounds."
Lastly, a 2020 study mentions that "the Eysenhardtia genus has shown to be an excellent source of secondary metabolites with flavonoids, flavones, isoflavones, flavonones, phenolic compounds, chalcones, dihydrochalcones, coumarins, pterocarpan, sugars, and fatty acids, among others."
Conclusion
Palo azul scores around 8x higher in polyphenols than green tea, according to the results from various studies. Palo azul evolved fluorescent polyphenols to defend against UV radiation, so these phytonutrients are what make it blue and they're also what give it all its health benefits.
Clinical Studies
Palo azul is commonly referred to by its scientific name: Eysenhardtia polystachya (E. polystachya, E.P), Cyclolepis genistoides (C. genistoides), kidneywood and palo dulce
(2021) Screening Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavanones Solutions
(2020) Phytochemical and Pharmacological Study of the Eysenhardtia Genus
(2016) Diuretic activity of the bark of Eysenhardtia polystachya
(2011) Anti-inflammatory properties from isolated compounds of Cyclolepis genistoides
