Flavonoids belong to the group of phytochemicals. These are certain chemical compounds that the plants produce neither through their plant metabolism nor through an energy metabolism. Chemically, they are a member of the polyphenols. The flavonoids are also assigned certain modes of action due to their content, which can be beneficial to health.
What are flavonoids?
Some animal species such as butterflies have these plant substances in their body, which can be explained by the ingestion of food and its storage in their bodies.
Flavonoids but universally protect all plants from external environmental adversities, give the plant healing powers and give it a mostly yellow color. They can also protect the human organism from certain diseases or reduce the risk of disease. They have the ability to neutralize harmful free radicals, which cause aggressive oxygen compounds in the body.
The exact use of different types of flavonoid can, among other things, considerably reduce a certain risk of cancer. They also inhibit the growth of unwanted viruses, bacteria and fungi and have a positive effect on blood pressure. Furthermore, flavonoids have a vasodilating, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect in the human organism.
Pharmacological effect
Flavonoids Like all polyphenols, they have extremely effective antioxidants which, so to speak, trap all free radicals within the body. The free radicals are immensely reactive compounds that are triggered, for example, by intense solar radiation.
Before such compounds can damage lipids, proteins or DNA, flavonoids are able to deactivate the highly reactive nitrogen and oxygen molecules and thus avoid an oxidative effect. Antioxidant ingredients are also found, for example, in a very rich amount in vitamins C and E. Flavonoids also have a certain antimicrobial effect. For example, green tea contains epigallocatechin, which is exactly what is achieved within the human organism.
The flavonoids are also said to have a certain antiviral effect. Another effect of the polyphenols is said to be immunosuppression (suppresses immunological processes) and anti-inflammatory effects. Flavonoids also have a supportive effect on cardiovascular systems, as they balance the blood pressure within a certain range and thus reduce the risk of thrombosis.
Medical application & use
Different plant colors like purple, red, yellow and blue are used by the Flavonoids staged. These nutrients are often found on the edge layers or directly below the skin of several types of vegetables and fruits. For these reasons, it is advisable to leave the bowl standing in order not to destroy valuable flavonoids.
Numerous ingredients of this type are found in a number of types of fruit such as pears and plums, berries and grapes as well as cherries and apples. However, various vegetables such as kale or aubergines and onions also contain these nutrients in particularly sufficient quantities and are therefore considered extremely healthy vegetables. Rich flavonoids can be found even in rather inconspicuous foods such as cocoa, tea or chocolate.
Thus, these luxury foods are not only balm for the body, but also a real health tip. In order to maintain the effective use of the flavonoids, it is essential to include these certain foods in the daily menu. According to the recommendation of the "German Society for Nutrition e.V." Consume five smaller servings of vegetables and fruits per day.
In addition to the essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements, the organism automatically receives a number of flavonoids as well as secondary plant substances. In addition, it is better to drink black or green tea instead of lemonade. A glass of red wine in the evening is much cheaper than a glass of beer, as the wine in its red grape skins contains rich heart and blood vessel protecting flavonoids.
Risks & side effects
The excellent properties of the Flavonoids have only recently been known, so that their positive effect has not yet been fully proven. However, they in no way show any harm in humans within the studies. Because of this, flavonoids are used in drugs especially for cardiovascular drugs, as liver therapeutics and diuretics (flushing out fluids) and as spasmolytics for gastrointestinal complaints (lowers muscle tension / relieves cramps). Side effects of flavonoids are hardly known to date.
