What Are Flavonoids And Why Are You Supposed To Care?

By Kathleen Hall


Everywhere you look these days there are articles and television programs devoted to the newest diet guaranteed to drop pounds from your body and inches from your waist without the inconvenience of exercise or moderation. As soon as one of these miracle plans disappears two others take their place. It's no wonder people are so confused about what the right thing is to eat and how important calories are and how much water you need to drink every day. One thing most nutritionists are pretty much in agreement on however is the importance of flavonoids in our daily diet.

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.

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.

Scientists seem to be divided on how important these nutrients are in lowering the risk of cancer. Some believe that its anti inflammatory properties and anti oxidizing abilities can help cells from becoming cancerous. They know that these nutrients are excellent for detoxification, and some think this might lower the risk of cancer. More studies have to be done before there is definitive agreement.

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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