
Flavonoids are potent antioxidants that protect the body and fight silent inflammation – the leading cause of many chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia and others. Flavonoid-rich foods include vegetables, tea, red wine and dark chocolate.
There are more than 5,000 flavonoids, but one of the most powerful is Quercetin. It’s one of nature’s best immune boosters and antihistamines – and among the most abundant flavonoids found in food.
Quercetin fights free radicals that can damage cells. But what really makes quercetin unique is that it protects you in three ways. It’s contains antioxidant, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory power. It stops your body from boosting histamine levels when you get sick, which can reduce symptoms like a stuffy nose, congestion and more.
One recent study by The American Journal of Physiology found that quercetin can protect against the flu for immune systems under stress. Another study put Quercetin’s healing powers to the test against the common cold, when University of Michigan researchers tested Quercetin on cells infected with the rhinovirus. Quercetin stopped the virus from replicating and prevented excess inflammation.
In a study to test the strength of Quercetin and vitamin C for fighting free radicals, Quercetin was a more effective antioxidant than vitamin C. So the next time you come down with a bug, treat it with 10 mg of quercetin daily.
The easiest way to get enough Quercetin is to eat dark, leafy, greens, or other dark-colored vegetables like red onions, scallions and kale. Even capers have Quercetin. But, what you may not know is that if you cook those veggies, they lose Quercetin. So it’s best to eat them washed and raw. A good way to remember which fruits have the most Quercetin is that they have it in the skin. That means blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, and, of course, apples.
You can also try supplementing. American Nutrition carries a variety of dosages of Quercetin – along with several other rare and naturalimmune-boosting herbs and nutrients.
