What Are Flavonoids And Why Should They Matter To You?

By Kathleen Hall


There seem to be hundreds of exercise and diet experts who have very strong opinions about what you should do to shed those extra pounds and turn yourself into the person you were meant to be. A lot of them appear to be capitalizing on the cravings many people have for a quick fix. If you go on a liquid diet, or a meat only one, you will see miraculous results for instance. Most people know an extreme diet or an expensive milkshake regimen is not the solution. There is a reason your mother and grandmother told you repeatedly to eat your fruits and vegetables, and one of those reasons is flavonoids.

You may have never heard the word before, or it may sound familiar but you don't really know what it is or how it pertains to your life. Put in simple English, these are a family of nutrients with thousands of members. They are found everywhere, but are most importantly in plant foods such as fruits and vegetables. Green tea is a great source of the nutrients as well.

There all kinds of fruits and vegetables to choose from. If you are lucky enough to be able to purchase fresh and organic produce, so much the better. When shoppers select these items today, many of them look for color when it comes to making smart choices. The more colorful the food is, the better it is for you. You may not realize it when you make your purchases, but that beautiful color is the direct of result of a high nutritional content.

These nutrients have a number of health benefits associated with them. For one thing they are high in antioxidants. It is a little complicated to explain, but when oxidants get into our body they can change molecules and create free radicals. Too many free radicals can cause a lot of problems unless they are kept in check.

Keeping the blood vessels in the heart free of clogs is very important. These nutrients help with that as well. They seem to promote the good cholesterol we need. Certain herbs contain the nutrients such as rosemary, oregano, and garlic. Adding these herbs to a diet that includes meat can be very beneficial.

These nutrients also have strong anti inflammatory capabilities. You know how an inflamed cut or rash can look when it's on the outside of your body. It doesn't look any healthier when it occurs inside. Eating plenty of plant foods helps reduce internal inflammation.

There are differing opinions when it comes to how much influence these nutrients have on cancer cells. Some believe their natural anti inflammatory properties and antioxidant production may prevent cells from becoming cancerous. Scientists are still researching and discussing these possibilities.

Most people pretty much know what they should do when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, but many of us don't follow sensible guidelines. Adding some colorful fruits and vegetables and introducing them early to your children is an easy first step.




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