Most of us know what vitamins and minerals are, and what benefits they bring to the body. However, there are other equally important substances that not many know about. For example, flavonoids - what is it? What effect do they have on the human body? What are their sources? We will discuss these issues in the article.
Flavonoids: what is it and what properties do they possess?
These are substances that affect the activity of many enzymes, so their use has a complex effect on the whole organism. Today flavonoids are beginning to be used both in traditional medicine and in folk medicine. They are found in many vegetables and fruits. Flavonoids are an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent against heart diseases, tumor diseases, visual impairment, and viral infections. In addition, these substances have a pronounced antibacterial, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory effect.
Products containing flavonoids
Now we know how flavonoids are useful. What foods contain a large amount of these substances? In pharmacies, you can find various biologically active additives (BAA) containing flavonoids. However, these substances can be obtained from products, especially since they are absorbed much better in this form. The main source of flavonoids is vegetables, fruits, berries of a rich burgundy or purple color. These substances are found in large quantities in:
red grapes, plums, apples, peaches, apricots;
blueberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, black currants;
citrus fruits;
eggplant, cabbage, red peppers, spinach, green onions;
tea, red wine, cocoa.
How to take flavonoids?
What is it and where is it contained, we found out, now we’ll figure out how many flavonoids are needed by the human body. The use of these substances in medicine is still not widespread. The potential of flavonoids is just beginning to be explored. It has not yet been determined exactly what dose of these substances is most optimal for health, and whether their overdose can be harmful. Therefore, it is preferable to receive flavonoids not in the form of biological additives, but due to a balanced diet.
Even if you consume vegetables, fruits or berries rich in these substances several times a day, it certainly will not bring harm to the body, but the health benefits will be enormous. Five servings of vegetables and four servings of fruit are recommended per day. The richer the fruit or vegetable, the more flavonoids it contains.
The benefits of flavonoids for the female body
What is premenstrual syndrome and pain on critical days, is known to almost every woman. When drugs or traditional medicine do not give the desired effect, many use the so-called "female" flavonoids, which in large quantities contain coffee and dark chocolate with a high content of cocoa beans.
Strong sweet coffee is known to help alleviate the symptoms of painful menstruation and migraines, which are often associated with critical days and menopause. Cocoa has an antidepressant effect. Therefore, doctors recommend women bitter chocolate as a remedy for the bad mood and irritability that are often observed with premenstrual syndrome.
After reading this article, you learned more about substances such as flavonoids: what it is, what benefits they bring to the body and what products they contain.