Raise Your Glass to Better Health

Flavonoids

It’s been about eight years since the big headlines hit stating that you could get your resveratrol in red wine.

I remember friends of mine who drank red wine saying, “I’m getting my resveratrol” not knowing what it was and having trouble pronouncing it to boot. It was pretty funny at times and perhaps the justification some were looking for to indulge.

Actually that was just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other health reasons for drinking red wine, in moderation (1-2 glasses per day).

And for those of you who say ‘yuck’, I must admit that a few years ago I felt the same way. For me, red wine was an acquired taste. I love it now.

But today I want to share with you some other benefits of red wine. And, for those of you who don’t drink or like red wine, you’ll have other choices.

You may not know that one of the most powerful antioxidants in red wine is flavonoid.

Flavonoids are plant-made chemicals (phytochemicals) in the “polyphenol” family of molecules.

Flavonoids have been known to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Promote DNA repair
• Prevent and fight cancer
• Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke
• Prevent blood clots
• Lower cholesterol
• Improve mood
• Reduce blood pressure
• Improve memory
• Prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Improve insulin resistance

Besides red wine, flavonoids are also found in black tea, green tea, cocoa, berries, cherries, peppers, tomatoes, onions, eggplant, artichokes, celery, broccoli, okra, citrus fruits, plums, apples, pomegranates, grapes, bananas, pears, apricots, peaches, black beans, kidney beans, fava beans, snap peas, olive oil, walnuts, cashews and pecans.

Flavonoids promote healthy aging and offer a broad array of disease protection and anti-aging benefits.

And if that’s not enough to increase your intake of flavonoids maybe this study will change your mind: Researchers from the Harvard Nurses’ Health monitored the diets of over 13,000 women from their late 50s through their mid 60s. Women with the highest intake of flavonoids had the greatest odds of reaching older age in good health.

Good health was defined as “no major chronic diseases or major impairments in cognitive or physical function or mental health”.

If you are a red-wine drinker, you should know the highest amount of flavonoids are found in Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

While dark beer is higher in flavonoids than light beer, red wine is still higher. The same goes for white wine, liquor and whiskey.

As you can see, there are many alternative ways to get more flavonoids into your diet.

I’ve already switched from my one soda a day to tea to make sure I’m getting as many flavonoids as possible. Just makes good anti-aging sense.

Cheers to good health!

Sandy DeRose

www.antiagenaturally.com

To read more about drinks for you health click here.

References:
Brian D. Lawenda, M.D. Flavonoid Polyphenols and Cancer. Integrative Oncology Essentials. January 2013.

Moreno-Luna R., et al. Olive oil polyphenols decrease blood pressure and improve endothelial function in young women with mild hypertension. Am J Hypertens. August 2012.

Zern TL., et al. Grape polyphenols exert a cardioprotective effect in pre- and postmenopausal women by lowering plasma lipids and reducing oxidative stress. J Nutr. August 2015.

Berries keep your brain sharp. Harvard Gazette. April 2012.

Yao LH., et al., Flavonoids in food and their health benefits. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2004.

Erik Strand. Flavonoids: Antioxidants Help the Mind. Psychology Today. March 2009.
Obrenovich ME, et al. The role of polyphenolic antioxidants in health, disease, and aging. Rejuvenation Res. December2010.
Amy Jennings, et al. Intakes of Anthocyanins and Flavones Are Associated with Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance and inflammation in Women. The Journal of Nutrition. 2014.