The ability of some fruits and vegetables to improve the functioning of various organ systems has long been known to mankind. As a result of research, it became known that a special substance possesses these beneficial properties, which is contained in plants and plays a crucial role in their life. And this substance is called "flavonoid". What it is and how it affects the human body can be found in this article.
A bit of history
Doctors in ancient times used the beneficial properties of certain vegetables and fruits to treat various diseases. However, they did not even think about the question, which substances that make up these plants make these products able to cure a particular ailment. For the first time, the flavonoid - what is it, was answered by Nobel laureate in medicine and physiology Albert de Saint-Dierdi in 1936. His research was on flavonoids found in red pepper. Albert de Saint-Dierdi discovered that the use of this vegetable strengthens the walls of blood vessels due to some useful red substances, and called them vitamin P. However, this name did not take root. Moreover, over the next fifty years, this topic was not very interested in science, but in the early 90s of the last century a new boom began to be observed. This was due to the fact that a group of American scientists discovered the antioxidant properties of flavonoids found in some vegetables and fruits. After that, it was decided to use these beneficial qualities of plants to neutralize free radicals.
What is a flavonoid?
A group of substances found in vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs that affect the action of enzymes in the body is called flavonoids. They are widely used both in folk and traditional medicine, pharmacology. These substances are also responsible for the color of the fruits, they are involved in photosynthesis. What is a flavonoid? Is it a vitamin or something else? This is a heterocyclic compound. It is poorly soluble in water, it is of different colors (yellow, red, orange, etc.). Flavonoids can also be called natural plant dyes. However, they are found only in plants, but in no case in the animal body.
Flavonoids: classification and types
Today, scientists have identified over 6,500 flavonoids, which are combined into 24 groups. Among them are lipophilic and water soluble compounds. Some of these groups are plant pigments. They determine the color of the fruits of plants and flowers. The following classes of flavonoid compounds are depending on the degree of oxidation of the 3-carbon fragment:
- leukanthocyanidins (leukocyanidin, leukodelphinidin, leukopelargonidine);
- catechins;
- flavonones;
- chalcones;
- dihydrochalcones;
- flavononols;
- anthocyanins and anthocyanidins;
- Aurons
- flavonols (bioflavonoids);
- isoflavones.
The most famous of the flavonoids today is rutin or, as it is called differently, vitamin C 2 , or R. What is it so famous for? This substance has a special vasoconstrictor property. For this, it (or its synthetic analogue) is one of the components of many drugs, for example, rutin is part of Ascorutinum, designed to increase the elasticity of capillaries and blood vessels.
Flavonoids: effects on the body
The beneficial properties of flavonoids for the human body are not limited to the vasoconstrictor effect. In addition, they have such very important effects as:
- decongestant;
- venotonic;
- vasodilator;
- antiatherosclerotic;
- membrane stabilizing;
- antiallergic;
- antihypertensive;
- anti-inflammatory;
- cardioprotective;
- immunomodulatory;
- anticarcinogenic;
- antioxidant;
- detoxifying;
- antihypoxant;
- estrogen-like and others
Based on this, it can be said that flavonoids have antioxidant, anti-radiation, antispasmodic, anti-ulcer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, hypotensive, estrogen, bactericidal, diuretic properties, etc.
Beneficial features
As you can see, flavonoids for humans are useful and even necessary. They contribute to the proper functioning of the body, and their action is non-aggressive. Knowing about their beneficial properties, it is easy to independently help your body in solving some problems. So, for example, due to the antioxidant effect, red wine (in moderation) is recommended to residents of the area with increased radiation. However, flavonoids, the effect on the body of which is scientifically proven, nevertheless, are not the main therapeutic agents. They can only become auxiliary, accompanying the main therapy. However, despite the fact that flavonoids in plants are in sufficient quantities, nevertheless, they are often unstable. If they are not handled correctly, they may die.
Products containing flavonoids
Today, preparations containing flavonoids can be bought at a pharmacy or ordered online. However, it is much more beneficial to take vegetables and fruits, which include these beneficial substances. Where are flavonoids contained? Here is an incomplete list of products that contain these beneficial substances:
- cocoa;
- tea, especially green (flavones and catechins);
- red grapes and red wine;
- apricots, plums, apples, peaches, pears, quinces, etc.
- berries: cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, black and red currants, black mulberries, hawthorn, barberry, etc .;
- citrus fruits: lemon, orange, grapefruit, mandarin (flavonones, flavones);
- vegetables: cabbage, carrots, beets, eggplant, etc.
Vegetables and fruits, which have a bright burgundy or purple color, including wild fruits, are richest in phylonoids. It has been proven that in the latter the content of natural pigments is much higher and these are mainly leukoanthocyanidins, while the pink flowers contain flavones, and the beans contain isoflavonoids.
How to take flavonoids?
At present, there is hardly anyone who has not heard the word “flavonoid”, what it is and what it is “eaten with”. In recent years, these substances have been the focus of attention of pharmacologists, who are increasingly using them for the production of drugs. By the way, many scientists in this field were "infected" with the idea of creating the so-called elixir of youth, using all the same flavonoids. The benefits of these substances to the human body are obvious. However, are their beneficial properties capable of combating the signs of aging? In any case, they are definitely more good than harm. Therefore, the use of flavonoid-rich vegetables, fruits, berries, greens will only be conducive to your health, fill the body with energy. You will feel younger, fresher, more alert and healthier. Plus, these foods can be eaten in unlimited quantities. Believe me, you do not face any overdose of flavonoids, of course, if we are not talking about bioactive additives. In no case should they be used without the recommendation of a doctor or without studying the instructions, especially the "dosage" item.