7 Proven Benefits of Quercetin
Posted by Wen Dan Jiang on
7 Proven Benefits of Quercetin (#1 is Incredible)
Plant-based food products have always been considered as the healthiest items. They get so much health-related publicity, and all the nutritionists suggest plant products as part of the daily diet. But what makes them so nutritious? There is no doubt that fruits and veggies are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that endorse overall wellness. But there is one particular pigment known as flavonoid or Quercetin, which is extensively present in plant-based products. Quercetin is a marvellous antioxidant that has grabbed substantial attention due to its miraculous health benefits, including heart health, immunity, fortitude, protection from cancer and degenerative diseases, and much more.
Keeping all its health benefits in mind, it is understandable why Quercetin is so essential, but what is Quercetin, and how is it beneficial for health? Let's find out.
What is Quercetin?
Quercetin (a subclass of flavonoid) is a plant-based phytochemical. It is a naturally occurring pigment present in many fruits and vegetables. Some good quercetin sources include grapes, cherries, apples, berries, citrus fruit, coffee, onions, and tomatoes. Quercetin helps to prevent
- The occurrence of radical cell damage
- Protects cells from oxidation
- Inhibits synthesis and release of histamine
- Protects from arthritis and allergies
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Muscular degeneration
- Atherosclerosis
- Different viral infections
- Skin disorders, viral infections
Benefits of Quercetin
Quercetin is the most abundant antioxidant and active flavonoid in some fruits and vegetables. It has potent anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antioxidant antiviral, and anticancer properties. Some of the significant benefits of Quercetin include;
1 Antioxidant properties
Quercetin provides excellent antioxidant properties. The role of antioxidants is to shield the body from unstable molecules like free radicals. The studies have illustrated that flavonoid consumption reduces the risk of heart diseases, fights cancer, and prevents tumor growth. All these properties are due to the activity of Quercetin against oxidation.
Free radicals are continually formed inside the body and cause extensive damage to tissues of the body leading to various diseases. Quercetin, being a versatile antioxidant, protects against these free radicals and acts as a shield against tissue injury.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Quercetin also has strong anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. It has potent antidepressant effects that help to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
3. Heart health
Quercetin prevents the building of plaque in arteries and reduces the risk of heart diseases. Studies have shown that Quercetin improves blood vessel health, improves blood flow through arteries, and helps to maintain blood pressure.
4. Allergy relief
Histamine is an organic nitrogenous compound secreted when the immune system detects an allergen. Histamine causes allergic reactions in the body. By reducing the production of histamine, Quercetin decreases different symptoms secondary to histamine release, such as seasonal allergies, runny nose, and coughing. Anti-allergy properties of Quercetin may also help to treat asthma and bronchitis.
5. Preventing neurological disease
Studies have illustrated that antioxidant properties of Quercetin play a role in inhibiting degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. A diet rich in Quercetin improves brain function and is effective against oxidative stress. It also protects from the toxic effects of certain metals on the nervous system.
6. Fights cancer cells
Some recent studies have shown that Quercetin helps to prevent the growth of cancer cells. Consuming a high amount of Quercetin in the diet reduces the risk of lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
7. Kidney transplantation
Researches have suggested that consuming 20mg of Quercetin and 480mg of curcumin twice a day for a month before and after kidney transplantation improves the function of the transplanted kidney.