Quercetin is a type of flavinoid extracted from plants that is found in several fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society explains that quercetin is also found in tea and red wine. Quercetin is also available as a dietary supplement at your local health food store. The supplement is purported to be effective for several conditions and some research evidence has revealed support for these effects. Check with your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
Antioxidant
Quercetin is an antioxidant compound that can help rid your body of potentially damaging substances known as free radicals. Free radicals are the byproduct of metabolism that, if left in your body, can lead to damage to the walls of your cells. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that quercetin has been found to be an effective antioxidant in laboratory settings, but research has not yet supported the same effect in the human body.
Antihistamine
In laboratory tests, quercetin appears to suppress the body's own release of histamines. This release of biochemicals is triggered in response to antigens, such as allergens. This response can include, but is not limited to, sneezing, itching, hives and a runny nose. The University of Michigan adds that the antihistamine effect of quercetin has not yet been replicated in humans. Further research is needed to ascertain whether a similar suppression would occur in humans. The UOM points out that other natural antihistamine substances, which can be used separately or in combination with quercetin, include vitamin C and other flavonoids extracted from plants.
Decreased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Aside from the cardiovascular benefits from antioxidant ability, quercetin may also help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Quercetin, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center, may help to reduce the development of plaque in the walls of your arteries. Left to accumulate, this plaque can cause blockages or blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke. The UMMC adds that quercetin supplements have been shown to decrease high blood pressure, which is a related risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Reduced Cholesterol
In addition to its potential benefits in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diets that are high in quercetin-rich foods like apples, onions and tea are associated with lower total cholesterol. This effect has not yet been consistently found in the use of quercetin supplements, however, explains the University of Michigan Health System, which adds that quercetin may help decrease the damage caused by LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, that is linked to an added risk of a heart attack.
Member Comments