Figure 1: Structures of polyphenols. Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring phytochemicals which are present in high amounts in fruits, vegetables, and natural products and are characterised by the presence of multiple hydroxyl groups on aromatic rings. These compounds are divided into two main categories, the flavonoids and non flavonoids, based on the number of phenol rings and the way in which these rings interact. For the flavonoid group, the major differences between the individual groups arise from the hydroxylation pattern of the ring-structure, the degree of saturation of the C-ring, and the substitution of the 3-position. HBAs, hydroxybennzoic acids; HCAs, hydroxycinammic acids.