The effectiveness of numerous medicinal plants is believed to be related to high flavoniod-- phyto-nutrient content.
In plants, quercetin and other flavonoids fulfill many functions, including the production of yellow or red/blue pigmentation. They naturally protect flowers from microbes, insects, viruses, fungus and bacteria, as well as oxidative stress and damage from sunlight.
At one time the benefits of quercetin were believed to be related to this “antioxidant” activity. In the test tube, flavonoids like quercetin show antioxidant activity, but recent studies have shown that the activity within the human body is quite unique.
The benefits of quercetin and other flavonoids are now often referred to as “biological response modification”. Studies have shown that these plant compounds have the ability to modify the human body's reaction to allergens, viruses and carcinogens. Within the human body, flavonoids show anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activity.
After eating foods that are rich in flavonoids, antioxidant activity in the bloodstream increases, enzymes that help eliminate mutagens and carcinogens are released and mechanisms that help kill cancer cells are induced. All of this activity occurs after eating plant foods that contain flavonoids.
The latest consensus is that cancer, heart disease and other chronic and life threatening diseases are caused by chronic inflammation.
While anti-inflammatory drugs cannot prevent this chronic inflammation and continued use can lead to other health problems, natural anti-inflammatories like quercetin and other plant compounds may help to prevent and reduce chronic inflammation, and diseases resulting from or accompanied by inflammation.
The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association recommend a diet rich in a wide variety of multi-colored fruits and vegetables. Some of which, like apples, cherries and broccoli contain quercetin, while others contain different antioxidants.
Other uses for quercetin that are being studied include benefits to the brain, improvement of cognitive function, lowering unhealthy levels of cholesterol, prevention of cataracts, treating type II diabetes, peptic ulcers and more. The uses for quercetin may eventually outnumber those of other plant antioxidants.
If you do not get enough fruits and vegetables every day, the better daily multi-nutrient supplements contain quercetin and other flavonoids.
Scientific studies have shown that the activity within the body that contributes to the health benefits of quercetin occurs even when very small amounts are consumed.