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Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are found naturally in plants. They have effects similar to antioxidants. They are non-toxic and present enormous benefits for the body. Up to know more than 6000 different kinds of flavonoids have being identified. In plants they don’t have direct involvement in their main functions but are used in support processes.

There are six classes of flavonoids: flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins.

Some well known flavonoids are quercetin, and rutin. Sometimes they are also named directly after the plant from where they come from. For example ginkgetin comes from ginkgo, and tangeretin comes from tangerine.

They have a good action in many processes of the body, benefiting the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, kidneys, liver, and other organs. They also act as anti oxidants, anti inflammatory, and anti allergic.

They have many functions in plants. They can be found as pigments in flowers with red, and yellow colors. In fact the name flavonoid comes from the Latin word “flavus”, which means yellow. This is because some of the flavonoids plants where used in the past to dye fabrics with a yellow color. This is important because it attacks insects to the flowers, which is needed in the pollination process. The protect plants of attacks by insects and microbes.

In recent years scientists have discovered that they have a potential role in the prevention of cancer and some other cardiovascular illness. They are also believed to have the ability of preventing the transfer of calories into undesired fat.

To get a good intake of flavonoids in your diet, eat a healthy number of fruits, specially those with red or yellow colors. Tea, specially green tea, is another great source of flavonoids. Getting them this way is better than by supplements, as they will be more able to provide you with the metabolites that are derived from them.

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