Most fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids which are a group of phytonutrients. More than 6000 different flavonoids each play a role in your health.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory

Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are the most well known health benefits of flavonoids. They have also been found to lower the risk of many chronic disorders and to detoxify the body.

The powerful bioactive compounds of flavonoids seem to improve many conditions. For example, researchers have found that women with the lowest levels of inflammation and insulin resistance, also had the highest intake of flavonoid anthocyanins and flavones.

Aedin Cassidy, Ph.D., a study author from the Norwich Medical School of the University of East Anglia, informed Reuters:

” Our population-based studies showed that higher regular intake of flavonoid anthocyanins which provide the red/blue color of berries and other fruits and vegetables, improve the handling of glucose and insulin, and therefore reduce inflammation which is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease.”

Cassidy also said the study revealed that better control of blood sugar levels and blood pressure could be obtained by just one daily serving of flavonoid-rich berries.

Also, a systematic review of 14 studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that intake of all 6 classes of flavonoids, which are flavones, flavonols, flavanones, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and flavan-3-ols, all decrease heart disease risk.

All plant foods, such as flavonoids are by far our major source of health-supporting phytonutrients. Fruits and vegetables have been studied and analyzed the most for their flavonoid content.

Flavonoid data on grains, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, and certain other foods and beverages has also been collected.

References:

World’s Healthiest Foods, Flavonoids
The Journal of Nutrition January 20, 2014
Reuters January 29, 2014