Home Ingredients ApPhenols (Apple Polyphenols)
Hair, Skin & Nails

ApPhenols (Apple Polyphenols)

Malus domestica
Evidence Level
Preliminary
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

ApPhenols is an apple (Malus domestica) polyphenol ingredient concentrated for procyanidins, the polyphenols most abundant in apple peel and unripe fruit. No published human trial has tested this material. The one trial cited here tested Applephenon, an apple polyphenol extract sold by Asahi Breweries; Asahi funded the study, and two of the five authors declared that they worked for the company. In that 12 week trial in 65 healthy Japanese women aged 20 to 39 taking 300 or 600 mg a day or placebo, the change from baseline in redness, melanin reading and lightness of UV exposed upper arm skin was smaller on apple polyphenol than on placebo, but the raw readings did not differ between groups at any timepoint and 600 mg was not clearly better than 300 mg. Facial moisture and water loss through the skin did not change. No heart or oxidative stress outcome has been measured in people taking this ingredient.

Studied Dose 300 mg/day and 600 mg/day for 12 weeks were used in the single human trial, which tested a different company's apple polyphenol. No dose of this branded extract has been tested here.
Active Compound Apple (Malus domestica) polyphenol extract concentrated for procyanidins, also containing flavan-3-ols (catechin, epicatechin), hydroxycinnamic acids including chlorogenic acid, and phloretin glucosides including phloridzin.

Benefits

Antioxidant activity in test tubes

Apple procyanidins strongly scavenged superoxide radicals in a test tube assay, with an EC50 of about 2.4 micrograms per millilitre for the whole procyanidin mix and activity peaking at the tetramer. No marker of oxidative stress in the body was measured in any human study cited here.

Supported by Trial 1

Skin color after UV exposure in a trial of another apple extract

In 65 healthy Japanese women (59 analysed), 12 weeks of a different brand's apple polyphenol at 300 or 600 mg a day left a smaller change from baseline in redness, melanin and lightness of UV exposed skin than placebo. The raw readings did not differ between groups, 600 mg was not clearly better, and facial moisture did not change.

Supported by Trial 1

Inflammation: not measured in anyone taking this extract

Apple procyanidins reduce inflammatory signalling in cell and animal experiments. No inflammatory marker was measured in the human trial cited here, so this has not been shown in people taking the supplement.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Procyanidin antioxidants

Apple procyanidins scavenge superoxide radicals in test tube assays, most strongly at the tetramer size. Whether that translates into antioxidant protection in the body at supplement doses has not been tested in the human studies cited here.

2

Blood vessel function: not improved in a human trial

In people, the randomized trial cited here of an apple polyphenol extract on brachial artery flow mediated dilatation found no significant advantage over placebo after 4 weeks, so improved blood vessel function has not been shown in humans for this class of extract.

Clinical trials

1
UV Induced Skin Pigmentation, 65 Women (tested a different company's apple polyphenol)
PubMed

12 week randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of tablets supplying 300 or 600 mg a day of apple polyphenol, or placebo. The material was Applephenon from Asahi Breweries, not this branded extract. Registered as UMIN000039612. (Shoji et al. 2020, Nutrients)

65 healthy women in Japan aged 20 to 39 with skin phototype II or III; 59 analysed (21 placebo, 20 at 300 mg/day, 18 at 600 mg/day). People with atopic dermatitis, dyslipidemia, diabetes or uncontrolled hypertension were excluded.

Upper arm skin was deliberately exposed to UV light. The change from baseline in redness, melanin reading and skin lightness was significantly smaller with apple polyphenol than placebo, but the raw readings did not differ between groups at any timepoint and there was no clear dose response. Facial moisture and water loss did not differ from placebo, and no other facial skin measure changed. No supplement related adverse events. Asahi Breweries funded the study, and two of the five authors declared that they worked for the company.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No supplement related adverse events were reported in the one 12 week trial of a related apple extract.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
People with apple allergy, or with birch pollen oral allergy syndrome that cross reacts with apple, should avoid apple derived extracts. Discontinue if any unusual reaction occurs.

Important Drug interactions

No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient.
Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication.
Use caution if pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition.

More Hair, Skin & Nails Ingredients

Hair, Skin & Nails
Niacin
Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential water-soluble vitamin central to energy metabolism, DN…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Bovine Collagen
Bovine collagen is hydrolyzed collagen sourced from cow hide, bone, and cartilage. It is o…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Marine Collagen
Marine collagen is hydrolyzed collagen made from fish skin and scales, mainly type I colla…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid antioxidant. It is naturally produced by the microa…

Explore Other Ingredients

Bone Health
Collagen
Collagen is the main structural protein of skin, bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. S…
Hair, Skin & Nails
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, primarily found in connect…
Immune Support
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that humans cannot make, so it must…

Frequently asked questions about ApPhenols (Apple Polyphenols)

What is ApPhenols?

ApPhenols is an apple (Malus domestica) polyphenol ingredient concentrated for procyanidins, the polyphenols most abundant in apple peel and unripe fruit. No published human trial has tested this material.

What is ApPhenols used for?

ApPhenols is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails. Apple procyanidins strongly scavenged superoxide radicals in a test tube assay, with an EC50 of about 2.4 micrograms per millilitre for the whole procyanidin mix and activity peaking at the tetramer.

What is the recommended dosage of ApPhenols?

The clinically studied dose is 300 mg/day and 600 mg/day for 12 weeks were used in the single human trial, which tested a different company's apple polyphenol. No dose of this branded extract has been tested here. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is ApPhenols safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for ApPhenols include: No supplement related adverse events were reported in the one 12 week trial of a related apple extract. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. ApPhenols is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does ApPhenols interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient. Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for ApPhenols?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for ApPhenols as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Shoji T, Masumoto S, Moriichi N, Ohtake Y, Kanda T. Administration of Apple Polyphenol Supplements for Skin Conditions in Healthy Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1071. doi: 10.3390/nu12041071.PubMedUsed to support: 12 week randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial in 65 healthy women in Japan aged 20 to 39, with 59 analysed, taking 300 or 600 mg/day of apple polyphenol or placebo. After ultraviolet exposure of upper arm skin, the change from baseline in redness, melanin reading and skin lightness was smaller on apple polyphenol than on placebo, but the absolute values of those measures did not differ significantly between the groups at any timepoint and 600 mg/day did not clearly beat 300 mg/day. Facial moisture and water loss through the skin were unchanged, as was every other facial skin measure. The extract tested was Applephenon from Asahi Breweries rather than the material on this page; Asahi Breweries funded the study; all five authors were listed at Asahi research laboratories and two declared they worked for the company. No supplement related adverse events were reported.
  2. Saarenhovi M, Salo P, Scheinin M, Lehto J, Lovró Z, Tiihonen K, Lehtinen MJ, Junnila J, Hasselwander O, Tarpila A, Raitakari OT. The effect of an apple polyphenol extract rich in epicatechin and flavan-3-ol oligomers on brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatory function in volunteers with elevated blood pressure. Nutr J. 2017;16(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s12937-017-0291-0.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial in 60 adults aged 40 to 65 with borderline or mild hypertension. Four weeks of an apple polyphenol extract supplying 100 mg of epicatechin a day did not improve brachial artery flow mediated dilatation compared with placebo, and nitrate mediated dilatation was unchanged. An acute within visit improvement was seen on the extract but was not significant against placebo. The extract was an epicatechin rich preparation from Coressence Ltd, a different material from the procyanidin concentrate on this page; DuPont funded the study and four authors are or were DuPont employees. The authors reported no safety concerns, although three participants withdrew because of adverse effects (migraine, dyspepsia and a raised liver enzyme).
  3. Kim SJ, Anh NH, Jung CW, Long NP, Park S, Cho YH, Yoon YC, Lee EG, Kim M, Son EY, Kim TH, Deng Y, Lim J, Kwon SW. Metabolic and Cardiovascular Benefits of Apple and Apple-Derived Products: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Nutr. 2022;9:766155. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.766155.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 18 randomised trials of whole apples, apple extracts and apple juice. Overall, total cholesterol fell by only 2.69 mg/dL (95% CI -5.43 to 0.04) and LDL by 2.80 mg/dL (95% CI -5.78 to 0.17), neither reaching statistical significance, although a subgroup analysis restricted to placebo controlled trials did find a significant reduction in both, with the larger benefit in people who started with high cholesterol. HDL was slightly but significantly reduced, by 1.04 mg/dL (95% CI -1.79 to -0.29). Triglycerides, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein and blood pressure were mostly unaffected. The pooled trials tested apple products in general rather than any single branded polyphenol extract, and the changes are small.