Exploring the health benefits of lentil phenolics: antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects

Introduction: Lentils are rich in essential nutrients such as protein, fibre, and flavonoids, with a low glycemic index that helps avoid glycemia peaks. Epidemiological data suggest potential benefits against cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Objectives: Identify the lentil variety with the highest phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, and anti-diabetic effects while evaluating its cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory activity. Conclusions: Kermit variety exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities, and the largest quantities of phenolic compounds, making it the best candidate for in vitro analyses. Cooking affected phenolic composition, often reducing (Epi)Catechin and Procyanidin compounds, though Kaempferol derivatives remained prominent across all varieties. No deleterious effect regarding metabolic inhibition was observed in Caco-2 cells when exposed to Kermit phenolic extracts. Regarding the immunomodulatory results: The production of IL-6 and IL-8 significantly decreased with Kermit phenolic extracts. In cells stimulated with IL-1β, the Kermit phenolic extracts showed relevant anti-inflammatory effects, as demonstrated by reductions in the selected cytokines' secretion.