What Is Quercetin and Where Is It Found?
Quercetin is a plant pigment, and pigments are a subset of a larger group of plant substances known as
flavonoids. These substances are found in all types of fruits, vegetables, grains, and teas.
Quercetin specifically is found in apples, onions, red wine buckwheat tea, and a multitude of other plants and plant-derived foods. Quercetin has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and for these reasons it's been used as a medicine for a variety of health conditions.
What Does Quercetin Do?
As an antioxidant, Quercetin works to seek out and neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are a byproduct of certain bodily processes, but they can damage cell membranes and cause cells to die, so lessening them can be beneficial. As a result of its antioxidant properties, Quercetin might also help reduce excess inflammation. While some inflammation is necessary for the body to heal and fight infection, excess inflammation is a very common cause of many bodily issues.
How Well-Studied is Quercetin?
A body of science exists on the benefits of Quercetin, but more scientific evidence is necessary to prove the specific benefits for what they are. Some of the benefits listed here have sufficient scientific evidence to suggest their credibility, and some are still in question. It's important to note that flavonoids like
Quercetin are often studied in groups, and that, most human studies have looked at flavonoids in the diet, not as supplements.
What Are the Proposed Health Benefits of Quercetin?
Because of its ability to help reduce inflammation, Quercetin provides a number of potential health benefits. Quercetin was proven to reduce the number of certain molecules in human cells that are indicators of inflammation.
One study showed that women with rheumatoid arthritis who took 500mg of Quercetin per day reported a significant diminishing of morning stiffness and pain, and pain after physical activity.
Quercetin has the potential to help prevent seasonal allergies because it prevents immune cells from releasing histamines. Histamines are related to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes. More scientific study is necessary to solidify this claim.
Preventing heart disease is another potential benefit of Quercetin. Scientific evidence suggests that Quercetin, as well as other flavonoids, might reduce plaque build-up in the arteries that can cause heart attack or stroke, also known as atherosclerosis. Additionally, science suggests that Quercetin helps reduce damage from LDL cholesterol, and reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol in overweight individuals.
Is Quercetin Worth a Try?
If you hope to treat any of the health conditions mentioned above, then supplementing with Quercetin is worth considering. It is an affordable and natural supplement, and can be particularly useful if you have a dearth of plant-based foods containing flavonoids in your diet.
We recommend talking to your doctor before taking Quercetin and while it is natural and considered safe, there can be
side effects including: headaches, upset stomach, and kidney damage if doses are too high.
Wonder Labs provides 3 Quercetin formulations.
Quercetin with Bromelain
Quercetin with Vitamin C
Bilberry Extract
