9 Flavonoid-Rich Foods You Must Include In Your Diet
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Sometimes referred to as “vitamin P”, flavonoids are super-antioxidants that support and strengthen cells. Bioflavonoids found in your favorite healthy foods help to combat heart problems, atherosclerosis, and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer.
Many of the foods that have vitamin C contain these healthy bioflavonoids. You should always get the fresh, unprocessed version of these foods, as processing and bottling removes most, if not all, of the health benefits associated with these super foods.
Incorporating these into your diet and/or juices is easy because they’re all delicious and you’ve probably got some in your kitchen already.
Top Reasons Why Flavonoids Are So Good
1. Antioxidants
Flavonoids are anti-aging, protect your cells from free radicals that increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and prevent many chronic/lifestyle diseases.
2. Anti-inflammatory
Flavonols (a flavonoid found in cocoa) reduce arterial inflammation and adhesion molecules that cause plaque buildup in the arteries. Flavonoids decrease your risk for heart disease, especially atherosclerosis—the hardening of the arteries.
3. Anti-proliferative
Studies show that extracts from flavonoid-rich onions provide strong anti-proliferative effects against liver and colon cancer cells. The slowing or stopping of cancer cell growth has been noted in several studies but needs further research.
Apples, onions, black tea, and cocoa are other great sources of flavonoids that help fight heart disease. They may also have positive effects on blood clotting, coronary artery function, and insulin sensitivity.
9 Top Flavonoid-Rich Foods To Include In Your Diet
Red Peppers or Sweet Peppers
Red bell peppers have three times the amount of vitamin C that orange juice has and none of the added sugar. Raw bell peppers are an easy, effective way to get bioflavonoids into your diet.
1. Strawberries
Other berries are high in these antioxidants, but strawberries are a great source. As delicious as they are nutritious, strawberries are a great addition to any juice or salad. Science explains there are even health benefits in berry-made wines.
2. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, etc. are excellent source of vitamin C. The super antioxidant bioflavonoids are at theirs highest content just under the peel, in the white matter so it’s best to include these when eating or juicing them. It’s a good way to super-boost your immune system and fight off diseases and infections.
3. Broccoli
One of my favorite green veggies, broccoli, has a high content of vitamin C as well as some other essential vitamins. As with other foods, broccoli is most healthy in raw form and can be added as a juicing ingredient.
4. Brussels sprouts
This unlikely cabbage-type Brussels sprouts contain good quantity of bioflavonoids and should be added to any meal to up your intake of antioxidants, vitamins, and, of course to benefit of the bioflavonoids content. It can also be added into your juices but the taste may take some getting used to.
5. Tropical fruits
Mangoes and papayas are packed with bioflavonoids and other nutrients to help brighten your day. Awesome for juices, these hearty fruits taste sweet and have great health benefits for your well being.
6. Garlic
Garlic, by most accounts, is a superfood. A fantastic anti-inflammatory, garlic is now being seen as a great source of bioflavonoids as well. Garlic is another antioxidant that is easy to add to many meals.
7. Spinach
High in antioxidants, spinach is another bioflavonoid-rich food that is easy to incorporate. Add into juices and smoothies, spinach gives you a “green” beverage and brings all the health benefits of green with it. You can even swap out lettuce in salads and put spinach in its place.
8. Herbal Teas
Green tea is known to be a great antioxidant. Green tea, and most herbal teas have a lot of powerful phytochemical elements that contribute to good health and a longer quality life. Essential vitamins and nutrients can easily be obtained from a cup of tea.
As mentioned, the raw form of these foods is the healthiest and best way to get all of their health benefits. Look for colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables that will help your health in many ways.
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Thanks for the advice! Since been diognized with dementia I already drink the darkest cocoa I can find at least 3 times a day, and notice my mental blocks in memory have nearly disappeared. So now I’m looking for all of the other flavonal rich foods I can eat eat. Don’t just listen to what the “brainwashed by the big drug company” doctors have to say there are lots of intelligent people on the Internet who can give advice.
I have read that the benefits of Flavonoids in Tea are eliminated if the drinker puts SUGAR in the Tea. My question is: Is the same true if one puts “sweetener” (Equal, Sweet’n’Low, etc.) in the Tea? Either Black or Green ? Does it make any difference?