Polyphenol-Rich Foods as a Healthy and Sustainable Strategy: Mental Health and Metabolomic Profiling.

The so‑called demographic transition has increased the prevalence of chronic diseases in adults over 65, accompanied by a rise in anxiety and depression. This study aimed at investigating the effect of cocoa flavanols and red berries (RB) anthocyanins consumption on depression and anxiety, focusing on the potential of the urinary metabolomic profile in the search for early biomarkers of intake and effect. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, 12-week intervention involving 59 healthy volunteers was conducted. The three dietary groups consumed either 5 g/day of RB (n = 20); 2.5 g/day of polyphenol-rich cocoa powder (C) (n = 20) or 7.5 g/day of a combination of cocoa and red berries (RB+C) (n = 19). The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used for emotional assessments. Targeted and untargeted metabolomic analyses were conducted on urine samples. Regular intake of RB significantly reduced state anxiety compared with C. 7-Methylxanthine and 3-methylxanthine confirmed cocoa intake. L-tryptophan, represents an essential metabolic precursor in serotonin biosynthesis. Among evaluated metabolites, p-cresol glucuronide, p-methylhippuric acid, and epicatechin sulfate emerged as key candidates associated with emotional outcomes. These findings support a potential role of dietary polyphenols in modulating the gut-brain axis in an aging population.