Health benefits of Bioflavonoids

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Bioflavonoids or flavonoids are a large class of antioxidants formed as plant and fungus secondary metabolites.
These are the most important plant pigments responsible for flower coloration, producing yellow or red or blue pigmentation in petals and fruits.
In higher plants, flavonoids are involved in UV filtration, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, floral pigmentation and also act as chemical messengers, physiological regulators, and cell cycle inhibitors.
In 1936, Szent-Györgyi found that, citrin made from lemon peels, was a mixture of bioflavonoids and it was more effective than pure vitamin C in preventing scurvy.

Previously, Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids) were known as “Vitamin P” and were considered to be semi-essential nutrients.
Bioflavonoids are active ingredients in many herbal medicines and also used in alternative medicine   to increase the action of vitamin C, to support blood circulation, as an antioxidant, and to treat allergies, viruses, or arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Antioxidant effect of Bioflavonoids is greater than that of Vitamins C, E, Selenium, and Zinc.

There are nearly 5000 known naturally occurring bioflavonoids and all bioflavonoids are useful as antioxidants, antivirals, and anti-inflammatories.  They modify the body’s reaction to certain compounds such as allergens, viruses, and carcinogens.

Bioflavonoid content is high in parsley, onions, berries,  black tea, green tea, bananas, all citrus fruits, red wine, sea-buckthorns, buckwheat, dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or greater) broccoli, eggplant, flaxseed , whole grains, legumes, and red wine.

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Average Daily Intake of bioflavonoids is 150-200 mg.

Health benefits of various bioflavonoids

• The antioxidant effects of bioflavonoid on cholesterol decrease the risk of heart attack. They decrease the cholesterol level, strengthen the walls of the blood vessels and improve the blood circulation
• prevent nosebleeds , miscarriages, postpartum bleeding, and other types of haemorrhages
• used in the treatment of menstrual disorders
• Used for the treatment of Type II diabetic cataracts, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy.
• Used to treat Inflammatory and allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and Lupus erythematosus.
• Green tea polyphenols suppress the activation of carcinogens such as nitrosamine and help in detoxifying cancer-causing agents.
• modify mechanisms related to aging
• The anti-inflammatory activity inhibits the invasion of the gum disease-causing bacteria and thus prevents Gum Disease.
• protect against infections
• improve liver function
• improve the vision
• reduce the occurrence of easy bruising
• neutralize the effects of pollution, pesticides, rancid fats, and alcohol
• prevent blood clotting

Side effects

Bioflavonoids are not toxic, even though taken at high levels. As they are water soluble, excess are excreted in the urine. Pregnant women are advised not to take bioflavonoids in large doses.