Taking into account 3 major health surveys, a team of scientists have discovered that flavonoids can help us manage our body weight.
Having trouble losing weight or staying in shape? Then you will be delighted to hear that there is a new study out there with stresses out the importance of fruits and vegetables pack with healthy bioactive compounds called flavonoids. According to this study, flavonoid-rich fruits were linked to weight loss if consumed regularly.
- Flavonoids are bioactive compounds found in certain fruits and vegetables;
- There are many subclasses of flavonoids, but it seems that flavonoid polymers and anthocyanins have shown the best results;
- The recent study took into account 3 major health surveys.
- Individual consuming flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables would lose 70 to 100 grams every 4 years.
In an excerpt of the study, the scientists working on the project declared that flavonoids and all their subclasses, including flavan-4-ols, anthocyanins, flavonols and flavonoid polymers have been linked to slow decrease in body weight over a 4-year interval.
Moreover, these compounds are also capable of minimizing the effects of smoking and other habits considered unhealthy. Regarding flavonoids and weight loss, it would seem that there are two subclasses that have shown promising results.
According to the scientists, anthocyanins and flavonoid polymers have been with slower weight gain. However, if the rate of flavonoid intake increases so does the rate of weight gain. Anthocyanins, one of the flavonoid subclasses are mainly found in fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes and blackcurrants.
On the other hand, flavonoid polymers are mainly found in tea and in onions. Again, the study does not prove for a fact that a diet based on flavonoid-rich fruits help us lose weight. And a higher flavonoid intake should not replace a balanced weekly meal of fruits and vegetables.
To this end, the scientists who conducted this study noted that a slight increase in the levels of anthocyanins and flavonoid polymers, lead to less weight gained over a period of 4 years. According to their estimates, this increase in flavonoids brings along a 70 to 100 grams less weight.
In order to determine the impact of foods packed with flavonoids on weight, the scientists studied the health reports of over 124.000 people, using 3 major health surveys, performed between 1976 and 1989.
Their initial results indicated that flavonoid-rich fruits were linked to weight loss. But they also noted the fact that some of the participants gained an average weight of 2 kilograms during the study.
Again, the authors of the paper stressed out the fact that the study shouldn’t be taken for granted, meaning that people should not eat more fruit thinking that they will lose weight fast. Instead of plunging into that bowl filled with fruits, the medical specialists recommend a rich and balanced diet, consisting of both fruits and vegetables.
Moreover, they also stressed out that a daily intake of 5 portions of vegetables or fruits can keep us safe from many diseases.
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Hopefully this spurs more Americans to include more fruits and vegetables in their diets — we are deficient in this respect. See my profile for more weight loss information!