What Are Flavonoids?
Flavonoids belong to the polyphenol group of compounds, which are well known for their antioxidant properties. Free radicals, when allowed to accumulate, can cause oxidative stress. This process affects aging, skin health, cancers, heart diseases, and more. Over time, humans have sought ways to neutralize the harmful effects of these free radicals. Enter flavonoids a class of molecules discovered for their protective abilities. Oxidative stress can be dangerous, but it won’t cause harm unless left unchecked. With over 6,000 types of flavonoids, each with its own unique traits and benefits, these compounds contribute to the nutrition of foods like grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, flowers, and fruits such as cherries. Additionally, flavonoids like flavanones share similar qualities and characteristics with other types, such as anthocyanins. These compounds work in tandem to promote better health. The vast variety of flavonoids enriches our diet, offering numerous health benefits. As more people consume flavonoid-rich foods, they experience a sense of vitality, feeling younger and more energetic. The health benefits provided by flavonoids offer promising potential for improving well-being and comfort.
Some of the Sources of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are associated with plant-based foods that are an essential part of a healthy diet which comprise:
Fruits: Most berries, citrus fruits, apples, grapes and cherries contain remarkable amounts of flavonoids especially anthocyanins and flavanols.
Vegetables: Onions, spinach, kale and broccoli offer considerable amounts of different kinds of flavonoids including flavones and flavanols.
Nuts and seeds: Flavonoids that benefit the heart can be found in almonds, walnuts and flaxseeds.
Beverages: Tea (green, black or oolong) as well as red wine contains high levels of flavan-3-ol which is a subdivision of flavanol therefore they are packed with flavonoids.
Legumes: Tofu and soy beans contains isoflavones, a subclass of certain flavonoid compounds that aid in regulating hormones hence aiding hormonal balance especially during menopausal phases.
Like all good things, flavonoids come with health benefits too. They are beneficial for our diet in various ways such as the below list:
1. Boosting Heart Health
It is no secret that they can aid the heart and cardiovascular system, as research has shown already. Flavonoids help lower blood pressure and inflammation while aiding the function of blood vessels. Moreover, quercetin flavonoids found in apples and onions are known to promote heart health by enhancing circulation and preventing arterial plaque buildup which reduces the risk of heart disease.
2. Enhancing Brain Function
3. Assisting Immune Activity
Flavonoids intensify the body’s capabilities of fighting off diseases and infections, as well as increasing its overall immune response. Some flavonoids like kaempferol are known to enhance the functions of the immune system by increasing white blood cells. Consuming food that are rich on these flavonoids improves fighting against common colds.
4. Reducing Cancer Risk
Similar to other antioxidants, flavonoids have shown some promise in protecting cellular DNA from damage that possibly could lead to cancerous mutations. Quercetin and apigenin found in onion and parsley, respectively, have some activity towards inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. Although they appear to have some activity towards breast, prostate and lung cancer, additional studies are needed to verify their claimed effectiveness scientifically
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that flavonoids play a very important role in helping the body function properly and benefiting us in many ways. Their antioxidant properties make them natural healers, speeding up the recovery from various diseases mentioned above. Finding the best sources of flavonoids is crucial, as their characterization helps maintain balance in the body