#flavinoid

Quercetin: the Great Anti-Oxidant

Quercetin is a flavonoid, a plant pigment, which is found in found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains.

Like other flavonoids, Quercetin is an antioxidant, scavenging damaging molecules in the body known as free radicals. It’s activity is numerous and includes indications in antiviral activity, treatment of allergy linked conditions like asthma and eczema, and cancer.

Of more interest to…

What’s dark, tempting, will keep your blood flowing and your heart pumping? Dark Chocolate! (It sounds better than a Denzel movie, but it’s true.) In a recent study, Dr. Gary Kaplan, director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, confirms that dark – more than any other chocolate – is the heart-healthy way to go. Dark chocolate contains flavonoid, an antioxidant which provides its rich color and deep flavor. These antioxidants also found in raw cocoa beans, red wine and green tea are known to help lower LDL – the BAD cholesterol – and will also help maintain good blood pressure, healthy blood vessels, all while reducing inflammation in your body. Yes, ladies, it makes you skinnier too!

Too good to be true? There’s more! The antioxidants in dark chocolate gallantly defend your heart in prince charming-like fashion by fighting the free radicals in your body – much more than some fruit and vegetables do. It's enough to make you swoon!

We can appreciate why the Aztecs had a centuries-long love affair with dark chocolate and believed it to be an aphrodisiac.  Since it’s less processed than the other types, it’s infused with Serotonin, a natural chemical that creates a euphoric feeling when released during moments of love and passion. Oh yeah!