Effects of polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract on physiological and metabolic responses in human subjects

This thesis investigated a polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract to see whether it could support different aspects of health. It first identified what types of polyphenols (bioactive plant compounds) are in sugarcane and how well they withstand processing. Human studies showed that the extract can mildly affect responses to food, influencing insulin release. Longer-term use reduced signs of gut lining injury and inflammation after exercise in the heat. Overall, the findings suggest that this sugarcane extract could be developed as a functional ingredient for metabolic health and supporting exercise performance.