| There's now good evidence that it's not just in | | | | anti-oxidants in this drink, also found in red grape |
| fruits and vegetables that health promoting | | | | juice, suggests that the theory may have some |
| anti-oxidant flavonoids are to be found. These | | | | substance. |
| powerful compounds have also been identified in | | | | And at least one major study has suggested that |
| tea, particularly green tea, red wine, beer and | | | | the incidence of stroke is substantially reduced in |
| even chocolate. So if you've ever suspected that | | | | older people, otherwise a very high risk group for |
| many of those who advocate healthy diets are | | | | this illness, who regularly drink substantial quantities |
| motivated more by denying you your little | | | | of tea, which is also rich in anti-oxidant |
| pleasures than a genuine interest in your well | | | | polyphenols, but whose diet tends to be low in |
| being, now may be the time to take a little | | | | fresh fruits and vegetables. |
| revenge. | | | | As well as red wine and tea, there is now also |
| Flavonoids occur widely in fruits and vegetables | | | | evidence that anti-oxidant flavonoids may be |
| and their principal function appears to be to | | | | found in beer and even chocolate. But in fact this |
| protect these plants from disease and the | | | | is not as surprising as it may at first appear. The |
| damage which may be caused to them by | | | | coca beans which are the primary ingredient of |
| extremes of light or heat. It has long been | | | | chocolate are a good source of polyphenols, and |
| suspected, however, that the well established | | | | were known to ancient civilisations for their |
| health protecting and curative properties of the | | | | medicinal properties. Broadly speaking, the darker |
| many plants commonly used in folk remedies for | | | | the chocolate the richer it will be in the particular |
| humans may also be due to flavonoids. And there | | | | flavonoids derived from the beans, which are |
| is now abundant evidence to support the idea | | | | powerful anti-oxidant agents not commonly found |
| that certain flavonoids, particularly those of the | | | | elsewhere. |
| polyphenol type, possess potent anti-inflammatory | | | | The latest research seems to offer good |
| and anti-oxidant properties. | | | | evidence that the flavonoids particular to dark |
| Two of the biggest premature killers in the | | | | chocolate (procyanidins) may have a useful role in |
| affluent Western world, as well as major causes | | | | helping to prevent the oxidation of the LDL, "bad |
| of disability and early loss of independence, are | | | | cholesterol", which is, as noted above, a key |
| stroke and heart disease. Both frequently follow | | | | precursor of serious cardiovascular disease. |
| on the development of the cardiovascular disease, | | | | Procyanidins also appear to work closely with |
| atherosclerosis, otherwise known as hardening of | | | | vitamin E, the body's most important fat-soluble |
| the arteries, and it is known that the oxidation of | | | | anti-oxidant, sparing the vitamin to work more |
| low density lipids (LDL), the blood fats known as | | | | effectively, and may also help to prevent |
| "bad cholesterol", is one of the major causes of | | | | excessive clotting or "stickiness" of the blood. |
| this condition. The prevention of LDL oxidation is | | | | Procyanidins are readily absorbed by the body |
| one of the key functions of vitamin E, the body's | | | | following the consumption of dark chocolate and |
| most important fat-soluble anti-oxidant, but | | | | appear to have a significant overall anti-oxidant |
| anti-oxidant flavonoids are also known to play a | | | | effect in the cardiovascular system. |
| role. Consistent research findings confirming this | | | | But of course it's not all good news. You'll be only |
| benefit of flavonoid anti-oxidants have led | | | | too well aware of the health reasons why it |
| successive governments and health agencies to | | | | would be unwise to rely on tea, red wine, beer or |
| urge the public to consume at least five daily | | | | chocolate as your principal sources of dietary |
| servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the | | | | anti-oxidant flavonoids. De-caffeinated teas are |
| evidence indeed suggests that such high flavonoid | | | | available, however, and dark chocolate is relatively |
| diets are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease | | | | low in sugar and fat; whilst all the evidence |
| and perhaps even some cancers. | | | | suggests that moderate consumption of alcohol |
| But it's not just the flavonoids in fruits and | | | | may protect against a variety of conditions, |
| vegetables that may have these effects. Much | | | | including heart disease. Red wine, in particular, is |
| attention, for example, has recently been paid to | | | | rich in the anti-oxidant flavonoids which appear to |
| the so-called "French Paradox", whereby France | | | | offer significantly enhanced protection. |
| boasts a surprisingly low rate of heart disease and | | | | As always, the key is balance; and in the context |
| related conditions, given the preponderance of | | | | of an otherwise healthy diet, particularly one rich |
| saturated animal fat in its national diet. There has | | | | in fruit and vegetables, there is no reason why |
| been much speculation that the low rate of this | | | | these highly enjoyable luxury foods and |
| disease, by the standards of advanced Western | | | | beverages should not make an important |
| nations, may be linked with relatively high | | | | contribution to your overall level of anti-oxidant |
| consumption of red wine, and analysis of the | | | | intake. |