What Are Bioflavanoids?

Bioflavanoids are naturally occuring phytochemical s that act primarily as plant pigments and flavour ing. Numerous compunds fall into this family of su bstances, which are linked by some common features in their molecular structure. Some of the sub-cat egories of bioflavonoids include isoflavones, anth ocyanidins, flavans, flvanols, flavinones and flav anones. Where Are They? Bioflavnoids are found in a wide range of fruits a nd vegetables. For example, flavanones are found i n citrus fruit, isoflavones in soya products, anth ocyanidinis in wine, flavans in apples and tea and rutin in the buckwheat plant. Other fruits that a re high in bioflavonoids include apricots, blacber ries, bilberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, cherrie s, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, papayas, peppers, p lums, melons and tomatoes as well as in coffee and cocoa. Potential health boosting effects include the follo wing; 1. Capillaries are highly permeable blood vessels that allow oxygen, hormones, nutrients and antibod ies to pass from the bloodstream to the cells.If t he capillary wasll are fragile, blood will sep out into the cells. This can result in brain and reti nal haemorrhages, bruising, bleeding gums and othe r problems. Bioflavonoids improve capillary streng th by helping to maintain the proper degree of per meablility in the capillary wall. 2. Recent research indicates that some bioflavanoi ds are inhibitors that prevent blood clot formatio n. These bioflavanoids may be useful in treating p hlebitis and other clotting disorders. 3. Bioflavanoids are also believed to protect agai nst heart disease. Resveretrol and quercetin, the bioflavanoids i the grape skins are thought to red uce the risk of heart disease among moderate wine

drinkers. 4. Many bioflavanoids prevent cellular damage caus ed by free radicals- unstable molecules that are f ormed when the body uses oxgen. Some bioflavanoids are used in food preservatives to prevent oxidati on of fats. Others enhance the antioxidant action of nutrients. 5.Bioflavanoids enhance the actiion of vitamin C. Bioflavanoids and viatmin C are present in the sam e fruits, and the body metablises both in a simila r way. This has led researchers to theorise that s ome of the functions attributed to viatmin C are a ctually due to bioflavanoids instead, others feel that the two work together in a synergistic manner. 6. Cancer causing substances may be hampered by bi oflavanoids. Recent laboratory studies indicate th at some bioflavanoids stop or slow the growth of m alignant cells and may also help to protect agains t cancer- causing substances. 7.Some bioflavanoids destroy certain bacteria, ret arding food spoilage and proecting humans from foo d-borne infections Potential Theurapeutic Uses A number of bioflavanoids are currently being studi ed for potential theurapeutic uses: Hesperidin, a bioflavanoid in the blossoms and pee ls of oranges, lemons and othercitrus fruit is bei ng considered for treating easy bruising and other types of bleeding problems Rutin, found in buckwheat leaves and some other pl ants is being studied for treating glaucoma and th e retinal bleeding that may occur in diabetes, as well as for reducing tissue damage from the effect s of frostbite, radiation exposure and haemophilia. Quercetin, found un apples, onions, tea , red wine and grapes, raspberries, citrus fruit, cherrie an d other fruits is being investigated to improve lu ng function and lower the risk of certain respirat ory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis and emphy sema. It also help to treat or even prevent prosta

te cancer by blocking male hormones hat encourage the growth of prostate cancer cells. http://www.greensupplements.co.uk