THE WONDROUS WORLD OF FLAVONOIDS

As you might remember that plants produce a vast array of chemical compounds called phytonutrients. Sometimes referred to as " vitamin P, " these substances serve a very specific purpose. Their job is to fight oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby increasing the life of the plant itself. They are usually produced in combination with various antioxidant vitamins and are particularly concentrated in the berries of the plant. As it turns out, plants aren't the only ones benefiting from these compounds. By eating these berries, we, too, receive all the benefits of the plant's effort to " live long and prosper. " Scientists have identified and categorized more than four thousand phytonutrients, such as flavonoids and phenols. Common examples are the quercetin found in apples, and the flavanols found in cacao beans, each renowned for its superior anti-ageing properties. While scientists have historically overlooked these substances, new experimental studies suggest that phytonutrients play a greater role in human health than previously thought.?