Quercetin is one in a group of phytochemicals--plant-based chemicals--called flavonoids. Flavonoids are nutrients found in foods that give the food its color. Quercetin is found in the skins of apples and onions, as well as in leafy green vegetables, green tea, red wine and a selection of dark-hued berries. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that foods high in quercetin and other flavonoids can offer you a variety of valuable health benefits.
Reduced Inflammation
Quercetin is an antioxidant, and one of the benefits of antioxidants in general is that they reduce inflammation in your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, eating foods that are high in quercetin might help control inflammation associated with asthma, seasonal allergies that include facial swelling as symptoms and prostate disease. Chronic joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis might also respond well from including quercetin in your diet.
Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
The Linus Pauling Institute reports that quercetin and flavonoids as a whole can contribute to optimum vascular endolethial function, which can lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Consuming foods high in quercetin might help your arteries relax and dilate more, which reduces the likelihood of plaque buildup and other blockages that can lead to heart attack or stroke. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that quercetin shows promise in preventing high cholesterol, or protecting your body from damage from LDL, the "bad" form of cholesterol that builds up in your blood vessels.
Cancer Prevention
The antioxidant properties of quercetin may be a reason to include "superfoods"--items that are high in flavonoids--in your diet. The American Cancer Society suggests that quercetin may be able to protect your cells from cancer, and in some cases can treat symptoms of cancer--such as the inflammation of a cancerous prostate--as well.
