I know what you’re thinking: “oh no, not another scientific term to confuse me even more while trying to get healthy!” Don’t stress yourself too much: flavonols are just a type of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a category of secondary metabolites coming from plants. Many flavonoids have antioxidant properties, but not all. Fortunately, flavonols do (not to be confused with flavanols, another type of flavonoid). Some common flavonols are Myricetin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol.
Antioxidant Properties
Due to the antioxidant properties of flavonols, consumption of fruits and vegetables that contain these metabolites leads to a reduced risk of heart disease. In addition, antioxidants have been researched in the treatment of cancer. They have been found to inhibit cancer cell growth, even reducing the total amount of cancer cells by destroying them. Aronia berry extract, which contains various flavonoids, has been used for this very purpose. In this particular study, scientists were researching the aronia berry extract’s effect on brain cancer. They found that the aronia berry causes cell death to a specific type of cancer cell. For this reason, the aronia berry has a lot of potential as a means for preventing and treating cancer… and to think, it was right there in front of us this whole time!
Flavonols are also thought to promote overall health. They strengthen bones, can help with inflammations, and are neuroprotective. You can easily gain these benefits by adding tomatoes, apples, kale, grapes, and/or aronia berry to your daily diet. These types of food have a high flavonol content, which means a higher amount of antioxidants.
