What are Flavonoids?

What are Flavonoids?​

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If you were anything like me, you probably don’t know much about, or let alone heard of flavonoids. They sound mysterious and almost medical – but they are compounds that occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and herbs. So, if you’re eating your five-a-day of fruits and veggies (as we should all be!), then chances are you’re consuming some amount of flavonoids too.  

But what exactly are flavonoids and what do they do for us? In a nutshell, flavonoids are plant metabolites that have been found to have a range of health benefits for humans. To understand how this works, it’s helpful to take a closer look at the different types of flavonoids and their effects on our bodies.  

There are 6 major classes of flavonoids:  

• Flavones: Found mostly in citrus fruits, they act as antioxidants to reduce inflammation and can help prevent cancer by scavenging free radicals
•  Flavanols: Found in apples and tea, they can improve cardiovascular health by reducing bad cholesterol levels and improving blood flow 
• Flavanones: Also found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges; they may reduce inflammation while improving the function of our immune systems
•  Anthocyanidins: These powerful antioxidants come from berries; they help protect cells from oxidative stress which could lead to cancer
•  Isoflavones: Soybeans contain high levels of isoflavones which act as phytoestrogens – molecules with a similar structure to estrogen – thus playing an important role in balancing hormones 
• Polyphenols: Commonly found in red wine; these compounds also act as antioxidants to fight inflammation and oxidation damage from toxins 

So, what does all this mean for us? Research has shown that regular consumption of foods rich in flavonoids can benefit us in numerous ways such as reducing the risk of heart disease by improving circulation, helping lower blood pressure, reducing inflammation, strengthening bones, preventing memory loss due to aging, regulating sugar levels and protecting against cancer.

They also appear to be effective in fighting off infections by boosting immunity! With so many health benefits attributed to them it is no surprise that there is an increasing focus on consuming more flavonoid-rich foods.  

It’s worth noting that many other foods aside from those listed above contain trace amounts of flavonoids so adding any kind of fruit or vegetable into your diet will help increase your intake. 

And lastly if you want an even greater concentration try taking supplements such as green tea extract or curcumin capsules. Ultimately incorporating flavonoid-rich food into your daily diet is key to ensuring good overall health – so don’t forget about those super-charged plant chemicals!

And don’t forget that our PurRelef long-term anti-inflammatory gummy contains the powerful flavonoids known as catechin and baicalin, two of the superpower ingredients that provide the long-term anti-inflammatory support.