Flavonoids – Another Phytonutrient
Flavonoids are next in our phytonutrient series. You have most likely been well acquainted with flavonoids and didn’t even know it. Warm beverages bring thoughts of relaxation, comfort, and peace. The cold weather months fill us with a desire to curl up in a warm blanket with a good book, and maybe even a hot cup of tea.
Tea a Common Ground – A Brief History
Tea is perhaps one of the oldest beverages enjoyed all over the world. Tea was once the largest import in the world and still remains one of the three largest beverage imports next to coffee and beer. Roughly 2 billion people drink tea on a daily basis. China, of course, was the original exporter of tea, it then spread to India and beyond. The British are known for being reserved, dignified, and able to handle a crisis with grace and poise. The people of Asia are also often associated with having a graceful resolve under pressure. Both cultures are known for theirhighconsumption of tea. Those common qualities between the people of Great Britain and the people all the way over in Asia may be due to a common phytonutrient found in tea. This phytonutrient has been known to promote a calming effect, decrease depression, decrease stress, and even help the body to detox!
The Secret to Tea – Flavonoids!
The secret to tea is flavonoids. Flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They also support the cardiovascular system and nervous system. They have been associated with a decreased risk of lung, ovarian, and breast cancers. Flavonoids have been linked to helping the body detox. It is also a natural mood enhancer and it creates a calming affect that lowers stress. Less stress means a lower level of cortisol – the hormone that the body makes when we arestressed that causes us to put on weight.
Where Can I Find It? – Just Tea?
While tea made from the traditional tea plant, Camellia sinensis, can be found in such varieties as black, oolong, green, or white tea for wonderful benefits – it’s by far not the only place to find flavonoids. In fact, the flavonoid found in tea (Catechins) is only one of the wonderfully health boosting flavonoids out there! Some of the places flavonoids can be found are:
- Green & Black tea (highest in the tea family)
- Onions
- Apples
- Tomatoes
- Almonds
- Turnip greens
- Sweet potatoes
- Quinoa (one of my favorite grains!)
- And many more (check out the first link below for a longer list)
As always the best way to ensure a healthy diet is a diverse color palette of organic foods that have been thoroughly washed with a chemical-free food wash. This removes cross-contamination that could hinder your body from properly absorbing those awesome phytonutrients!
Applications & Resources
- Learn about flavonoids and the many health benefits at The Worlds Healthiest Foods
- Find some fun facts at the Cultural Services of Hong Kong
- Read more about the cancer fighting properties of tea at WebMD (even find a recipe)
- Go to NCBI for the studies and scholarly articles on Flavonoids
- Check out Oregon State and what they have to share about the amazing qualities of Flavonoids
