What are flavonoids and what are they used for in the body?

Answer 1

Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids) also known as Vitamin P and citrin, are a class of plant secondary metabolites. Flavonoids are most commonly known for their antioxidant activity and very good in the human diet. Flavonoids can help kill or prevent cancer. Fruits, vegetables, tea, and even red wine contain flavonoids.

Flavonoids fight aging and prevent disease. They include:

• Anthocyanidins, found in berries, legumes, eggplant, black bananas, and black rice, are water soluble pigments that provide color to plants, mainly shades of red, purple, and blue. Hundreds of anthocyanidins have been identified.
• Flavanols, found in fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, herbs, nuts, and chocolate, may increase a population of certain cells in the blood that scientists think help to repair the inner walls of blood vessels, improving blood flow and potentially lowering blood pressure.
• Flavonols (Flavan-3-ols), found in tea, Dark Chocolate, fruit, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables, help support healthy circulation by helping your arteries stay flexible.
• Flavanones are the dominant flavonoid found in citrus fruits, but are also found in other fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and herbs. They are anti-oxidants, and may have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergen proprerties.
• Flavones, mainly found in cereals and herbs, but also in fruits and vegetables, may have beneficial effects against atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, Diabetes mellitus, and certain cancers.
• Isoflavones, found mostly in soy, but also in other legumes, are a class of phytoestrogens-plant-derived compounds with estrogenic activity that may also fight oxidative damage, cancer, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.