Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Flavonoids in Food and Their Health Benefits

  • Published:
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in the research of flavonoids from dietary sources, due to growing evidence of the versatile health benefits of flavonoids through epidemiological studies. As occurrence of flavonoids is directly associated with human daily dietary intake of antioxidants, it is important to evaluate flavonoid sources in food. Fruits and vegetables are the main dietary sources of flavonoids for humans, along with tea and wine. However, there is still difficulty in accurately measuring the daily intake of flavonoids because of the complexity of existence of flavonoids from various food sources, the diversity of dietary culture, and the occurrence of a large amount of flavonoids itself in nature. Nevertheless, research on the health aspects of flavonoids for humans is expanding rapidly. Many flavonoids are shown to have antioxidative activity, free-radical scavenging capacity, coronary heart disease prevention, and anticancer activity, while some flavonoids exhibit potential for anti–human immunodeficiency virus functions. As such research progresses, further achievements will undoubtedly lead to a new era of flavonoids in either foods or pharmaceutical supplements. Accordingly, an appropriate model for a precise assessment of intake of flavonoids needs to be developed.

Most recent research has focused on the health aspects of flavonoids from food sources for humans. This paper reviews the current advances in flavonoids in food, with emphasis on health aspects on the basis of the published literature, which may provide some guidance for researchers in further investigations and for industries in developing practical health agents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Harborne JB, Turner BL (1984) Plant Chemosystematics. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Clifford AH, Cuppett SL (2000) Review : Anthocyanins—nature, occurrence and dietary burden. J Sci Food Agric 80: 1063–1072.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cook NC, Samman S (1996) Review : Flavonoids—chemistry, metabolism, cardioprotective effects, and dietary sources. J Nutr Biochem 7: 66–76.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Bolwell PG, Broamley PM, Pridham JB (1995) The relative antioxidant activities of plant-derived polyphenolic flavonoids. Free Rad Res 22: 375–383.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Paganga G (1996) Structure –antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids and phenolic acids: Review article. Free Rad Biol Med 20: 933–956.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hall CA, Cuppett SL (1997) Structure –activities of natural antioxidants. In: Aruoma, OI (ed), Antioxidant Methodology. Champaign, IL: AOCS Press, pp 141–172.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gardner PT, McPhail DB, Duthie GG (1998) Electron spin resonance spectroscopic assessment in the antioxidant potential of teas in aqueous and organic media. J Sci Food Agric 76: 257–262.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Paganga G (1997) Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds. Trends Plant Sci 2: 152–159.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wollenweber E, Dietz VH (1981). Occurrence and distribution of free flavonoid aglycones in plants. Phytochemistry 20: 869–932.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Havsteen B (1983) Flavonoids, a class of natural products of high pharmacological potency. Biochem Pharm 32: 1141–1148.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Harborne JB (1988) The Flavonoids: Advances in Research since 1980. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Berhow MA (1998) Flavonoid accumulation in tissue and cell culture. Adv Exp Med Biol 439: 67–84.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Nijveldt RJ, van Nood E, van Hoorn DEC, Boelens PG, van Norren K, van Leeuwen PAM (2001) Flavonoids : A review of probable mechanisms of action and potential applications. Am J Clin Nutr 74: 418–425.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bravo L (1988) Polyphenols : Chemistry, dietary sources, metabolism, and nutritional significance. Nutr Rev 56: 317–333.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Aherne AS, Obrien NM (2002) Dietary flavonols: Chemistry, food content and metabolism. Nutrition 18: 75–81.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Peterson J, Dwyer J (1998) Flavonoids : Dietary occurrence and biochemical activity. Nutr Res 18: 1995–2018.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Huang MT, Osawa T, Ho CT, Rosen RT (1994) Food Phytochemicals for Cancer Prevention. I. Fruits and Vegetables. Austin, TX: American Chemical Society.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ho CT, Osawa T, Huang MT, Rosen RT (1994) Food Phytochemicals for Cancer Prevention. II. Teas, Spices, and Herbs. Austin, TX: American Chemical Society.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Ho CT, Lee CY, Huang MT (1992) Phenolic Compounds in Food and Their Effects on Health I. Analysis, Occurrence & Chemistry. Austin, TX: American Chemical Society.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Benavente-Garcia O, Castillo J, Marin, FR, Ortuno A, Del-Rio JA (1997) Uses and properties of citrus flavonoids. J Agric Food Chem 45: 4505–4015.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Saleh MM, Hashem FAEM, Glombitza KW (1998) Study of Citrus taitensis and radical scavenger activity of the flavonoids isolated. Food Chem 63: 397–400.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Etievant P, Schlich P, Bertrand A, Symonds P, Bouvier JC (1988) Varietal and geographic classification of French red wines in terms of pigments and flavonoid compounds. J Sci Food Agric 42: 39–54.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Zand RSR, Jenkins DJA, Diamandis, EP (2002) Flavonoids and steroid hormone-dependent cancers. J Chromatogr B, 777: 219–232.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Duthie GG, Duthie SJ, Kyle JAM (2000) Plant polyphenols in cancer and heart disease: Implications as nutritional antioxidants. Nutr Res Rev 13: 79–106.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Chu YH, Chang CL, Hsu HF (2000) Flavonoid content of several vegetables and their antioxidant activity. J Sci Food Agric 80: 561–566.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Arts ICW, Van de Putte B, Hollman PCH (2000) Catechin contents of foods commonly consumed in the Netherlands. 1. Fruits, vegetables, staple foods, and processed foods. J Agric Food Chem 48:1746–1751.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hertog MGL, Hollman PCH, Katan MB (1992) Content of potentially anticarcinogenic flavonoids of 28 vegetables and 9 fruits commonly consumed in the Netherlands. J Agric Food Chem 40: 2379–2383.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Hertog MGL, Hollman PCH, Van de Putte B (1993) Content of potentially anticarcinogenic flavonoids of tea infusions, wines and fruit juices. J Agric Food Chem 41: 1242–1246.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Arts ICW, Van de Putte B, Hollman PCH (2000) Catechin contents of foods commonly consumed in the Netherlands. 2. Tea, wine, fruit juices, and chocolate milk. J Agric Food Chem 48:1752–1757.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Singleton VL, Noble AC (1976) Wine flavour and phenolic substances. In: Charalambous G, Katz I (eds), Phenolic, Sulfur, and Nitrogen Compounds in Food Flavors. Chicago: American Chemical Society, pp 47–70.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Garcia-Viguera C, Bakker J, Bellworthy SJ, Reader HP, Watkins SJ, Bridle P (1997) The effect of some processing variables on non-coloured phenolic compounds in port wines. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 205: 321–324.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Gil-Izquierdo A, Gil MI, Ferreres F, Tomás-Barberán FA (2001) In vitro availability of flavonoids and other phenolics in orange juice. J Agric Food Chem 49: 1035–1041.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Tomás-Barberán FA, Clifford MN (2000) Review : Flavanones, chalcones and dihydrochalcones—nature, occurrence and dietary burden. J Sci Food Agric 80: 1073–1080.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hertog MG, Hollman PCH, Katan MB (1993) Intake of potentially anticarcinogenic flavonoids and their determinants in adults in the Netherlands. Nutr. Cancer 20: 21–29.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Hollman PCH, de Vries JHM, van Leeuwen SDD, Mengelers MJB, Katan MB (1995) Absorption of dietary quercetin in healthy ileostomy volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr 62: 1276–1282.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lee M-J, Wang ZY, Li H (1995) Analysis of plasma and urinary tea polyphenols in human subjects. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 4: 393–399.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Hollman PCH, van Trijp JMP, Buysman MNCP, Gaag MS, Mengelers MJB, de Vries JHM, Katan MB (1997) Relative bioavailability of the antibioxidant flavonoid quercetin from various foods in Man. Febs Lett 418: 152–156.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Ren W, Qian Z, Wang H, Zhu L, Zhang L (2003) Flavonoids : Promising anticancer agents. Medicinal Res Rev 23(4): 519–534.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Cassidy A, Hanley B, Lamuela-Raventos RM (2000) Review : Isoflavones, lignans and stilbenes—origins, metabolism and potential importance to human health. J Sci Food Agric 80: 1044–1062.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Lyons-Wall PM, Samman S (1997) Flavonoids —dietary perspectives and health benefits. Nutr Soc Aust 21: 106–114.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Kuhnau J (1976) The flavonoids: A class of semi-essential food components: Their role in human nutrition. Wld Rev Nutri Diet 24: 117–120.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Chow K, Kramer I (1990) All the Tea in China. San Francisco: China Books and Period, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Hara Y (1992) Effects of tea polyphenols on cardiovascular diseases. Prev Med 21: 333.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Nakagawa K, Ninomiya M, Okubo T, Aoi N, Juneja LR, Kim M, Yamanaka K, Miyazawa T (1999) Tea catechin supplementation increases antioxidant capacity and prevents phospholipid hydroperoxidation in plasma of humans. J Agric Food Chem 47: 3967–3973.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Van Hof KH, Kivits GAA, Weststrate JA, Tijburg LBM (1998) Bioavailability of catechins from tea: The effect of milk. Eur J Clin Nutr 52: 356–359.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Birt DF, Shull JD, Yaktine A (1999) Chemoprevention of cancer. In: Shils ME, Olson JE, Shike M, Ross, AC (eds), Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

  47. Klahorst S (2002) Exploring antioxidants. Wd Food Ingred (April/May): 54–59.

  48. Fukumoto LR, Mazza G (2000) Assessing antioxidant and prooxidant activities of phenolic compounds. J Agric Food Chem 48: 3597–3604.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Unno T, Sugimoto A, Kakuda T (2000) Scavenging effect of tea catechins and their epimers on superoxide anion radicals generated by a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system. J Sci Food Agric 80: 601–606.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Duthie SJ, Dobson VL (1999) Dietary flavonoids protect human colonocyte DNA from oxidative attack in vitro. Eur.J Nutr 38: 28–34.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Birt DF, Hendrich S, Wang W (2001) Dietary agents in cancer prevention: Flavonoids and isoflavonoids. Pharmacol Therapeut 90: 157–177.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Bors W, Heller W, Michel C, Stettmaier K (1996) Flavonoids and polyphenols: Chemistry and biology. In: Cadenas E, Packer L (eds), Handbook of Antioxidants. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc., pp 409–468.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Frankel S, Robinson GE, Berenbaum MR (1998) Antioxidant capacity and correlated characteristics of 14 unifloral honeys. J Apic Res 37: 27–31.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Matsuo N, Yamada K, Shoji K, Mori M, Sugano M (1997) Effect of tea polyphenols on histamine release from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells: The structure–inhibitory activity relationship. Allergy 52: 58–64.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Salah N, Miller NJ, Paganga G, Tijburg L, Bolwell GP, Rice-Evans CA (1995) Polyphenolic flavonols as scavengers of aqueous phase radicals and as chain-breaking antioxidants. Arch Biochem Biophys 322: 339–346.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Pannala AS, Chan TS, O’Brien PJ, Rice-Evans CA (2001) Flavonoid B-ring chemistry and antioxidant activity: Fast reaction kinetics. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 282: 1161–1168.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Day AJ, DuPont MS, Ridley S, Rhodes M, Rhodes MJC, Morgan MRA, Williamson G (1998) Deglycosylation of flavonoid and isoflavonoid glycosides by human small intestine and liver B-glucosidase activity. Febs Lett 436: 71–75.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Benzie IFF, Szeto YT, Strain JJ, Tomlinson B (1999) Consumption of green tea causes rapid increase in plasma antioxidant power in humans. Nutr Cancer 34: 83–87.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Feng Q, Torii Y, Uchida K, Nakamura Y, Hara Y, Osawa T (2002) Black tea polyphenols, theaflavins, prevent cellular DNA damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing cytochrome P450 1A1 in cell cultures. J Agric Food Chem 50: 213–220.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Rosa GM, Mei R, Di Carlo G, Pacilio M, Di Carlo R (2001) Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by flavonoids in macrophage J774A. 1. Life Sci 68: 921–931.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Mutoh M, Takashi M, Fukuda K, Komatsu H, Enya T, Masushima-Hibiya Y, Mutoh H, Sugimura T, Wakabayashi K (2000) Suppression by flavonoids of cyclooxygenase-2 promoter-dependent transcriptional activity in colon cancer cells: Structure–activity relationship. Jpn J Cancer Res 91: 686–691.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Middleton E, Kandaswami C (1992) Effects of flavonoids on immune and inflammatory cell functions. Biochem Pharmacol 43: 1167–1179.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Sano M, Suzuki M, Miyase T, Yoshino K, Maeda-Yamamoto M (1999) Novel antiallergic catechin derivatives isolated from oolong tea. J Agric Food Chem 47: 1906–1910.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Gaby AR (1998) Quercetin : A potentially useful, potentially harmful flavonoid. Townsend Lett Drs Pat 178: 102.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Li BQ, Fu T, Yan YD, Mikovits JA, Ruscetti FW, Wang JM (2000) Flavonoid baicalin inhibits HIV-1 infection at the level of viral entry. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 276: 534–538.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Muldoon MF, Kritchevsky SB (1996) Flavonoids and heart disease. Br Med J 312: 458–459.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Chen C, Tang HR, Sutcliffe LH, Belton PS (2000) Green tea polyphenols react with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals in the bilayer of liposomes: Direct evidence from electron spin resonance studies. J Agric Food Chem 48: 5710–5714.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Knekt P, Reunanen A, Jarvinen R, Maatela J (1996) Flavonoids intake and coronary mortality in Finland: A cohort study. Br Med J 312: 478–481.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Yochum LA, Kushi LH, Meyer K, Folsom AR (2000) Dietary flavonoid intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Am J Epidemiol 149: 943–949.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Yochum LA, Folsom AR, Kushi LH (2000) Re : dietary flavonoid intake and risk of cardovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Am J Epidemiol 151: 634–635.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Hertog MGL, Feskens EJM, Hollman PCH, Katan MB, Kromhout D (1993) Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease: The Zutphen elderly study. Lancet 342: 1007–1011.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Hertog MGL, Kromhout D, Aravanis C, Blackburn H, Buzina R, Fidanza F, Giampaoli S, Jansen A, Menotti A, Nedeljkovic S, Pekkarinen M, Simic BS, Toshima H, Feskens EJM, Hollman PCH, Katan MB (1995) Flavonoids intake and long-term risk of coronary heart disease and cancer in seven countries study. Arch Intern Med 155: 381–386.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Keli SO, Hertog MGL, Feskens EJM, Kromhout D (1996) Dietary flavonoids, antioxidant vitamins, and incidence of stroke. Arch Int Med 156: 637–642.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Weisburger JH (1996) Tea antioxidants and health. In: Cadenas E, Packer L (eds), Handbook of antioxidants. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc., pp 469–486.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Tijburg LBM, Mattern T, Folts JD, Weisgerber UM, Katan MB (1997) Tea flavonoids and cardiovascular diseases: A review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 37: 771–785.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Lou FQ, Zhang MF, Zhang XG, Liu JM, Yuan WL (1992) A study on tea pigment in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Prev Med 21: 333.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Paquay JBG, Haenen GRMM, Stender G, Wiseman SA, Tijburg LBM, Bast A (2000) Protection against nitric oxide toxicity by tea. J Agric Food Chem 48: 5768–5772.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Finotti E, Di Majo D (2003) Influence of solvents on the antioxidant property of flavonoids. Nahrung/Food 47(3); 186–187.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Naderi GA, Asgary S, Sarraf-Zadegan N, Shirvany H (2003) Anti -oxidant effect of flavonoids on the susceptibility of LDL oxidation. Mol Cell Biochem 246: 193–196.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Kuo SM (1997) Dietary flavonoids and cancer prevention: Evidence and potential mechanism. Crit Rev Oncogen 8: 47–69.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Sawa T, Nakao M, Akaike T, Ono K, Maeda H (1999) Alkylperoxyl radical-scavenging activity of various flavonoids and other phenolic compounds: Implications for the anti-tumor-promoter effect of vegetables. J Agric Food Chem 47: 397–402.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Siess MH, Le Bon AM, Canivenec-Lavier MC, Amoit MJ, Sabatier S, Aubert SY, Suschetet M (1996) Flavonoid of honey and propolis: Characterisation and effects on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes and benzo[a]pyrene-DNA binding in rats. J Agric Food Chem 40: 2297–2301.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Dragsted LO, Strube M, Leth T (1997) Dietary levels of plant phenols and other non-nutritive components: Could they prevent cancer? Eur J Cancer Prev 6: 522–528.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Oguni I, Cheng SJ, Lin PZ, Hara Y (1992) Protection against cancer risk by Japanese green tea. Prev Med 21: 332.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Osawa T, Kumon H, Nakayama T, Kawakishi S, Hara Y (1992) Tea polyphenols as antioxidants. Prev Med 21: 332.

    Google Scholar 

  86. Balentine DA (1997) Introduction : Tea and health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 37: 691–692.

    Google Scholar 

  87. Wiseman S, Balentine DA, Frei B (1997) Antioxidants in Tea. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 37: 705–718.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Chen CW, Ho CT (1995) Antioxidant properties of polyphenols extracted from green tea and black teas. J Food Lip 2: 35–46.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Gensler HL, Timmermann BN, Valcic S, Wachter GA, Dorr R, Dvorakova K, Alberts DS (1996) Prevention of photocarcinogenesis by topical administration of pure epigallocatechin gallate isolated from green tea. Nutr Cancer 26: 325–335.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Conney AH, Wang ZY, Huang MT, Ho CT, Yang CS (1992) Inhibitory effect of green tea on tumorigenesis by chemicals and ultraviolet light. Prev Med 21: 361–369.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Katiyar SK, Agarwal R, Mukhtar H (1992) Green tea in chemoprevention of cancer. Comprehens Ther 18: 3–8.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Katiyar SK, Agarwal R, Wang ZY, Bhatia AK, Mukhtar H (1992) Epigallocatechin -3-gallate in Camellia sinensis leaves from Himalayan region of Sikkim: Inhibitory effects against biochemical events and tumor initiation in Sencar mouse skin. Nutr Cancer 18: 73–83.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Khan SG, Katiyar SK, Agarwal R, Mukhtar H (1992) Enhancement of antioxidant and phase II enzymes by oral feeding of green tea polyphenols in drinking water to SKH-1 hairless mice: Possible role in cancer chemoprevention. Cancer Res 52: 4050–4052.

    Google Scholar 

  94. Wang ZY, Huang MT, Ho CT, Chang R, Ma W, Ferraro T (1992) Inhibitory effect of green tea on growth of established skin papillomas in mice. Cancer Rev 52: 6657–6665.

    Google Scholar 

  95. Yang CS, Wang ZY (1993) Tea and cancer. J Natal Cancer Inst 85: 1038–1049.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Mukhtar H, Katiyar SK, Agarwal R (1994) Green tea and skin—anticarcinogenic effects. J Invest Dermatol 102: 3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Dreosti IE, Wargovich MJ, Yang CS (1997) Inhibition of carcinogenesis by tea: The evidence from the experimental studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 37: 761–770.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Kivits GAA, Van der Sman FJP, Tijburg LMB (1997) Analysis of catechins from green and black tea in human: A specific and sensitive colorimetric assay of total catechins in biological fluids. Int J Food Sci Nutr 48: 387–392.

    Google Scholar 

  99. Landau JM, Yang CS (1997) The effect of tea on health. Chem Ind 22: 904–906.

    Google Scholar 

  100. Ahmad N, Feyes DK, Nieminen AL, Agarwal R, Mukhtar H (1997) Green tea constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate and induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human carcinoma cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 89: 1881–1886.

    Google Scholar 

  101. Nakamura Y, Harada S, Kawase I, Matsuda M, Tomita I (1992) Inhibition of in vitro neoplastic transformation by tea ingredients. Prev Med 21: 332.

    Google Scholar 

  102. Cheng SJ, Ho CT (1988) Mutagens, carcinogens, and inhibitors in Chinese foods. Food Rev Int 4: 353–374.

    Google Scholar 

  103. Weisburger JH (1992) On the role of tea in modifying causes of major human cancers. Prev Med 21: 331.

    Google Scholar 

  104. Xu Y, Ho CT, Amin SG, Han C, Chung FL (1992) Inhibition of tobacco-specific nitrosamine-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice by green tea and major polyphenol as antioxidants. Cancer Rev 52: 3875–3879.

    Google Scholar 

  105. Xu Y, Ho CT, Dhimant D, Chung FL (1992) Effects of green tea and its components on lung tumorigenesis induced by a tobacco-specific nitrosamine (NNK). Prev Med 21: 332.

    Google Scholar 

  106. Chen JS (1992) The effects of Chinese tea on the occurrence of esophageal tumors induced by N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine in rats. Prev Med 21: 385–391.

    Google Scholar 

  107. Chen YC, Liang YC, Lin-Shiau SY, Ho CT, Lin JK (1999) Inhibition of TPA-induced protein kinase C and transcription activator protein-1 binding activities by theaflavin-3,3’-digallate from black tea in NIH3T3 cells. J Agric Food Chem 47: 1416–1421.

    Google Scholar 

  108. Pan MH, Liang YC, Lin-Shiau SY, Zhu NQ, Ho CT, Lin JK (2000) Induction of apoptosis by the oolong tea polyphenol theasinensin a through cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in human U937 cells. J Agric Food Chem 48: 6337–6346.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Y. M. JIANG.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

YAO, L.H., JIANG, Y.M., SHI, J. et al. Flavonoids in Food and Their Health Benefits. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 59, 113–122 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-004-0049-7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-004-0049-7

Navigation