They include kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, and fisetin compounds.
Onions, garlic, and scallions contain high amounts of a particular flavonol calledquercetin, a plant pigment.
Other sources of quercetin include cocoa, green tea, and red wine.
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They act as a shield against ultraviolet light (UVB) in plants.
Flavanones
Flavanones are found in all citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, and grapes.
They include the compounds hesperidin, naringenin,diosmin, and eriodictyol.
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Flavanones are linked to several health benefits because of their free radical-scavenging properties.
Isoflavones
Isoflavones or isoflavonoids are found in soybeans and other legumes.
Some isoflavones have also been found in microbes.
Isoflavones have the potential to fight many diseases.
Isoflavones like genistein and daidzein are commonly regarded to be phytoestrogens because of their estrogen activity in certain animals.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are pigments in plants, flowers, and fruits.
Cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, and peonidin are the most common.
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What Do Flavonoids Do?
Flavonoids are known for their health benefits.
They have properties that inhibit oxidation, reduce inflammation, prevent gene mutations, and oppose cancer development.
They also help regulate cellular enzyme functions (proteins that stimulate chemical reactions in cells).
These properties have beneficial health effects on diseases ranging from lowering blood pressure to cancer prevention.
Cardiovascular Benefits and Reduce Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular disease is considered the number one killer across the globe.
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease.
This can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
It confirmed that consuming more anthocyanins from apples, blueberries, and pears lowers the risk of diabetes.
This results in a reduced cellular inflammatory response and lesschronic pain.
Animal studies show that flavonoids block beta-amyloid plaque build-up in the brain, a sign ofAlzheimer’s disease.
Although human studies are in the early phases, findings seem positive.
A major caveat is that each brand’s flavonoid content may vary per dose.
Certain flavonoids impede ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters including P-glycoprotein.
They may interact with drugs like anticancer agents, antibiotics, beta-blockers, and antiarthritics.
Before taking any flavanoids as supplements, talk to your doctor to avoid potential drug interactions.
Look for colorful ones and branch out to try new ones.
This can make your meals more interesting as well as bring health benefits.
Yes, flavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties.
No, flavonoids arephytonutrients found in plants.
Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: an overview.J Nutr Sci.
2016;5:e47.
doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41
Szalay J.What are flavonoids?livescience.com.
Hostetler GL, Ralston RA, Schwartz SJ.Flavones: food sources, bioavailability, metabolism, and bioactivity.Adv Nutr.
2020;112(2):343-353. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa079
