Flavones, yellow antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs, may help prevent illness and lower the risk of breast and prostate cancer by reducing estrogen levels. They also have potential benefits for cardiovascular disease and may aid in weight management. While research is ongoing, increasing antioxidant intake through healthy foods is considered safe.
Flavones are compounds that make up one of several classes of flavonoids, or antioxidants, found naturally in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The flavones tend to be yellow in color. Two particular types of this compound called apigenin and luteolin are present in celery and parsley, as well as thyme. While extensive research has not yielded conclusive results, various laboratory tests suggest that these compounds may help the body ward off current and potential illness.
Flavonoids are abundant in many types of foods and teas. Many believe that the effects of these antioxidants on the body are numerous. Research on specific types of flavonoids, including flavones, is still relatively new. Much evidence has been declared inconclusive, but others show promise that the compounds may have profound and positive health benefits.
In general, antioxidants can help people rid their bodies of free radicals often associated with cancer. Also, flavones can prevent high estrogen levels. They can achieve this effect by slowing down the productivity of aromatase, a key enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis. For these reasons, flavones are thought to possibly lower the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
High estrogen levels can also lead to other health risks. Weight gain is a common symptom of an abundance of this hormone. Furthermore, a study conducted in the Netherlands surmised that the presence of the compound in women’s diets seemed to have a positive effect on stabilizing or even reducing the body mass index (BMI) of some patients.
Overweight people are often more prone to contracting viruses and medical conditions. If the flavones prevent the body from creating too much estrogen and reduce the tendency for a woman’s BMI to increase over time, the compound may also prevent many resulting ailments. Regardless of the accuracy of this study, it is a fact that this yellow antioxidant is found in many low-calorie, high-fiber foods that often promote a healthy weight.
Both apigenin and luteolin could have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease by relaxing constricted blood vessels. Flavonoids are generally believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Although the evidence is scant to prove this point, it is recognized that diets high in vegetables could lead to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The fact that flavones are found mainly in vegetables could be a reason to support this idea.
Several analyzes have also advocated the use of this compound in the fight against kidney cancer, lung problems and tumors. Many tests have only been done in vitro or on animals. Since flavones are contained in many healthy foods, however, most doctors would consider increasing antioxidant intake as a fairly safe measure.
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