In addition to their anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties, flavonoids have also been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and weight loss. These are just some of the health benefits that flavonoids can provide, but there are countless other uses as well. Let's look at some of these. If you're not familiar with flavonoids, keep reading to learn about them and how they can benefit your health.
Phytochemicals called flavonoids are extremely important for the human body. They protect vitamin C from oxidation and improve blood vessel health. They also help lower blood pressure. While flavonoids do not have official dietary recommendations, they are readily available in the average diet. Flavanols can be found in red wine, green tea, and many herbs and vegetables. In addition, as homegrown plants are popular nowadays there are several unique plants you can grow starting from autoflower seeds for sale online. Furthermore, flavanols from these homegrown plants are important components of a healthy diet and are useful for preventing chronic diseases.
Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid
Research has proven that quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid found in a variety of plants, has health benefits. This bioactive flavonoid has anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and vasodilator properties, and has been linked to a reduction in the risk of various age-related diseases. Because of its antioxidant properties, quercetin has shown promise in protecting the body against oxidative stress, a common cause of many diseases.
In studies, quercetin has neuroprotective properties and protects the brain from inflammation and oxidative stress, which may help reduce the risk of cognitive disorders. One recent study concluded that dietary flavonoids may help protect against Alzheimer's disease, citing the ability to ameliorate cognitive impairment in early to mid-stages of the disease. Moreover, quercetin boosts protection related to increased Ab clearance and decreases astrogliosis, which is a condition wherein neurons are destroyed.
It is an antioxidant
The antioxidant properties of flavonoids are due to the fact that they inhibit aerobic oxidation. Flavonoids have free radical-accepting properties and bind to metal ions to remove catalytic ions. The pH of the system affects the effectiveness of flavonoids' ability to form complexes. The hydroxyl groups of flavonoids can bind with metal ions and form chelates. This chelate is either stable or unstable depending on the ph level. In a redox cycle, copper or iron can be reduced and the oxidized flavonoid may become a pro-oxidant. In general, polyphenolic compounds have antioxidant properties.
Reactive oxygen is a major factor in life, but it can be a killer. Reactive oxygen species cause cell death. These reactive oxygen species interfere with normal physiological processes in the cell. Oxidative stress is the result of a disruption in the balance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants. This imbalance causes aging, inflammation, toxicity, and addiction. Flavonoids are effective antioxidants and can be found in fruits and vegetables.
It has anti-inflammatory properties
Among their many biological effects, flavonoids are known to inhibit a number of enzymes and have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They are also a key regulator of hormones and are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties during the proliferative phase of inflammation. However, the exact mechanisms by which flavonoids exert their anti-inflammatory properties are not fully understood. Here, we will discuss some of the mechanisms that may be involved.
It may reduce the risk of cancer
The study's authors found that flavonoids may lower the risk of colorectal cancer. However, associations between flavonoids and colorectal cancer risk are contradictory and conflicting. There is a dearth of studies evaluating flavonoids intake from different dietary sources separately. In a recent study, researchers assessed the association between dietary intake of flavonoids and colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese population. The study included 1632 cases and controls with frequency-matched diets, and validated questionnaires to estimate dietary flavonoids intake.
The study was limited by several factors, including selection bias. Despite a relatively low level of association between flavonoid intake and cancer risk, the findings were consistent across different dietary patterns. The total flavonoid intake was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared with a control group that was low in flavonoid intake. The study's authors thank the anonymous reviewer for his/her critical evaluation of the study's conclusions.
It may protect neurons from neurotoxin-induced injury
It has been suggested that flavonoids from berries are neuroprotective, protecting neurons from oxidant-induced injury. Flavonoids have been shown to suppress neuroinflammation and promote cognitive function, and they interact with important neuronal signaling cascades. Flavonoids inhibit the apoptosis induced by neurotoxin species and promote neuronal survival. In the present study, researchers found that flavonoids inhibit oxidant-induced neuronal injury by modulating PI3K/Akt and protein kinase signaling pathways.
Oxidative stress has been associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. It is the primary cause of cellular injuries in neurodegenerative diseases. In neurodegenerative diseases, oxidative stress promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage biological molecules and cause apoptosis and necrosis. Antioxidants suppress ROS generation. Several natural flavonoids, including luteolin, have been shown to suppress ROS generation.
