You’d be forgiven for thinking the word flavonoid is scientific speak for flavour. After all, both words sound very similar. But actually, the science of flavonoids goes a lot further – just like the list of benefits they carry.
So what are flavonoids and what flavonoid-rich foods should you look out for?
What are flavonoids?
In simple terms, flavonoids are compounds that are high in antioxidants. They’re mainly found in fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods but also crop up in red wine and dark chocolate.1 The general rule is that the more colourful a fruit or vegetable is, the higher the level of flavonoids it contains.2Why do our bodies need flavonoids?
When trying to understand flavonoids, it’s best to look at the role of antioxidants.
First of all, our bodies can naturally suffer from oxidative stress, which is when free radicals begin to damage healthy cells.
Antioxidants fight against oxidative stress, which is why getting a healthy amount of flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables is essential.
The health benefits of flavonoids and where to find them
There are six main types of flavonoids that contain various benefits, each of which are found in different foods. They are:
- Flavanols
- Flavan-3-ols
- Flavones
- Isoflavones
- Anthocyanins
Where to get your flavonoids
Flavonoids are an essential part of a healthy diet. Of course, if you’re not getting enough of the foods on this list, perhaps because of an allergy, you can always top yourself up with supplements to support a healthy lifestyle when taken with a balanced diet. Why not see for yourself?
Last updated: 8 October 2020
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Flavonoids.aspx
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652297/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.livescience.com/52524-flavonoids.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/isoflavones
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know