What Are Flavonoids And Why Should You Care?

By Kathleen Hall


There are so many books, articles, and spokespeople recommending so many different kinds of diets and menu plans, most people don't know what to believe about food. It is often hard to tell whether or not you should eat meat at all, and if you do, what kind and how often. It is pretty much accepted that you need plenty of water to stay hydrated. The majority of individuals understand processed food and fast food aren't good for them, and many realize the importance of daily portions of fruits and vegetables. Nutritionists generally say plant foods high in flavonoids should be your first choice, but they don't always tell you why.

They may not have known the word, but they were on the right track. Today we know a lot more about nutrition and how and why certain foods are good us. In many ways, we have come full circle back to what seemed obvious to previous generations. Plant foods are good for you because they are chock full of nutrients. Liquids such as green tea are loaded with them too. Animal products however, are not a very effective source of them.

You already know what they are even though you may not recognize the name. For years, doctors and food specialists have been pushing people to eat leafy green vegetables and brightly colored fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. They don't always explain that what makes them so vivid and attractive are the nutrition they contain.

Every other day we seem to hear more about the beneficial effects of these powerful nutrients. Antioxidants is a term that gets a lot of attention, and these colorful plants and vegetables are full of them. When we have too many oxidants in our bodies, the molecular structure of cells can change and set off free radicals. These free radical busters help minimize that.

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.

Everyone has experienced the discomfort of an inflammation caused by a wound or bad reaction. It is obvious in the red, puffy, unhealthy appearance. An internal inflammation is just the same. It can wreak havoc on your body if you don't do something to minimize it. These help reduce and clear up these internal inflammations.

The extent to which these nutrients help lower the risk of cancer is still up for debate. Many in the scientific community believe that their anti inflammatory and oxidizing properties can be beneficial in avoiding cancerous cell activity. These nutrients have been proven to be excellent detoxification agents, and this can also be helpful fighting cancer cells. Most scientists agree that more study and research is necessary to determine how this dynamic really works.

Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit every day may not be as exotic a diet regimen as some others, but it is a tried and true method of optimizing health. Becoming informed about the foods you eat and why that they are good for you is very important.




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