What Are Flavonoids And Why Are You Supposed To Care?

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.

Most of us know we should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day if we want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We also know that for the last several years nutritionists have emphasized the importance of concentrating on richly colored plants. They will tell you the brighter the color of the fruit or vegetable, the better it is for you. That color comes from the nutrient found in them.

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.

Heart disease is one of the deadliest killers in the world today. By adding generous portions of fruits and vegetables to your diet, you are helping keep your heart's blood vessels strong and free of the clogs that can lead to a heart attack.

Another benefit to your heart, as well as the rest of your body, is the anti inflammatory aspect. It may seem obvious that inflammation is not a good thing. When it occurs in a wound or causes some kind skin rash, you can actually see what damage it can do. It will do the same kind of damage inside your body unless you do something to keep it in check.

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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