Flavonoids in horses

Flavonoids are naturally found in plant-based foods (herbs, plants, fruit, vegetables) and give color to fruit and vegetables.
Flavonoids are not nutrients, but antioxidants. Flavonoids are nitrogen-free organic compounds that also contribute to the taste of products. In plants, flavonoids play an important role in metabolism, especially in protection against UV light, oxidation, and heat. Flavonoids usually give a bitter taste to deter plant-eating insects. But because of the bright colors that flavonoids give to plants, they also attract insects for pollination.

Flavonoids

Organic compound

Antioxidant function

• Antibacterial function

Types of flavonoids

There are different groups of flavonoids, which again contain different types:

Type

Quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol

Catechin, EGCg

Hesperidin, naringin

Apigenin, luteolin, tangeretin

Resveratrol, isoflavones

Malvidin, cyanidin, delphinidin

Pro(antho-)cyanidins
Nuts, cranberries, apples

Function of flavonoids

In the body, flavonoids are important for the metabolism of vitamin C, for cell walls, and act as powerful antioxidants. Additionally, flavonoids influence cell growth and have antibacterial and antiviral effects. Flavonoids also have an anti-histamine effect.

At high doses, flavonoids can be harmful. But from the standard diet, there is no indication of negative effects on health. Negative effects could occur with the use of supplements with extra flavonoids. For example, in human use, this applies to isoflavones (phytoestrogens), which have a hormonal effect. However, there is still no solid scientific evidence for this.