Category Archives: Flavonoids

Vitex: A Monk’s Brew

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) is an Asian and Mediterranean deciduous shrub also known as the chaste tree, chasteberry, monk’s pepper tree, Abraham’s balm and wild pepper. Vitex grows to between six and seven meter tall and medicinally the peppercorn-like berries of … Continue reading →

Posted in Flavonoids, Iridoids, Reproduction, Terpenes, Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) | Comments Off on Vitex: A Monk’s Brew

Antioxidant Synergism

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Antioxidant, Beta Carotene, Carotenoids, Chalcones, Flavonoids, Glutathione, Glutathione peroxidase, Riboflavin, Selenium, Stilbenes, Terpenes, Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Vitamin C, Vitamin E | Comments Off on Antioxidant Synergism

Hawthorn for Cardiovascular Health

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a European thorny shrub that is often found in hedgerows, hence its alternative name hedgethorn. Its trimmed presence in hedgerows hides its usual size, with the hawthorn three being able to reach heights of around 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthocyanins, Antioxidant, Cardiovascular Disease, Flavonoids, Free Radicals, Hawthorn, Inflammation | Comments Off on Hawthorn for Cardiovascular Health

Grapefruits Lower Cholesterol Levels: The Pectin Effect?

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) is so named because it grows in clusters in the same way as grapes, However, grapefruit is grouped with other citrus fruit such as the orange, lime and lemon. The grapefruit is thought to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Flavanones, Flavonoids, Grapefruit, Hesperidin / Hesperetin, Naringin / Naringenin | Comments Off on Grapefruits Lower Cholesterol Levels: The Pectin Effect?

An Apple a Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Fruit consumption is associated with improved health outcomes. In particular those who consume more fruit have been observed to have lower rates of Western lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. The reason that fruit is beneficial to … Continue reading →

Posted in Antioxidant, Apples, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Chalcones, Flavonoids, Hydroxycinnamic Acids, Inflammation, Phloretin / Phlorizin, Polyphenols, Quercetin, Vitamin C | Comments Off on An Apple a Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Taking The Sting Out of Nettle

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Robert Barrington

When most people think of nettles they think of stinging nettles and the rashes that can develop from contact with the leaves. However, the genus Urtica encompasses a large number of plant species that grow across North America and Europe. … Continue reading →

Posted in Antioxidant, Flavonoids, Flavonols, Gout, Histamine, Inflammation, Lignans, Quercetin, Testosterone, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K | Comments Off on Taking The Sting Out of Nettle

Blueberries For Blood Vessel Health

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Diets high in plant foods are protective of health. In particular, plant based diets appear to be protective of cardiovascular disease. Plants produce polyphenolic substances as secondary metabolites and many of these chemicals are biologically active in humans. The absorption … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthocyanins, Blueberries, Cardiovascular Disease, Endothelial Dysfunction, Flavonoids, Polyphenols | Comments Off on Blueberries For Blood Vessel Health

Can You Get Enough Vitamin C In The Diet

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Flavonoids, Vitamin C | Comments Off on Can You Get Enough Vitamin C In The Diet

Should We Eat Raw Vegetables?

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Robert Barrington

A high intake of vegetables is associated with improve health outcomes. The exact reason for this is not known, but may relate to the presence of biologically active phytochemicals in plant tissues. Many of these chemicals are secondary metabolites of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brassica, Broccoli, Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Glucosinolates, Lutein, Lycopene, Onions, Quercetin, Terpenes, Vegetables | Comments Off on Should We Eat Raw Vegetables?

A Rainbow of Colours

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Robert Barrington

The vivid colours in fruits and vegetables are due to the presence of a myriad of plant derived chemicals (phytonutrients) that protect the plant tissues from pests and environmental damage. Many of these chemicals are biologically active in humans, meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Fruit, Stilbenes, Terpenes, Vegetables | Comments Off on A Rainbow of Colours