Quercetin
Quercetin supplements
Quercetin is a pigment that gives various types of fruits, vegetables, and flowers its colour. It’s a so-called flavonoid. It’s also a popular supplement. Read everything about it here!
What exactly is quercetin?
Quercetin is naturally found in certain foods, such as:
- Apples
- Onions
- Herbs like parsley and sage
- Tea, especially green tea
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil
- Grapes
- Dark cherries and berries like blueberries
Quercetin is what gives these fruits their colour. Really it strengthens the colour, because it’s not technically a pigment. Quercetin is a flavonoid, a compound found in plants.
Quercetin supplements
Quercetin is a natural flavonoid most commonly found in vegetables and fruits. If you eat a lot of vegetables and fruits every day, you’re likely getting a sufficient amount of quercetin. Only, in our modern lifestyles, we often don’t succeed in this. We don’t always eat as healthy as we should.
In the Netherlands it’s estimated that the average daily intake of quercetin is around 16 mg. The biological availability of quercetin is also quite low. This means that approximately only 20% of the quercetin we consume is actually absorbed by our body. That’s not a lot.
Because of this limited intake, some people choose to use quercetin supplements in addition to their diet. These supplements help to increase your quercetin intake and obtain the desired amounts of this flavonoid. Supplements are easily absorbed by our body. Furthermore, they allow you to know exactly how much quercetin you’re really ingesting.
Why is quercetin good for you?
While quercetin has been a popular supplement for quite some time, there are no health claims approved by the European Commission yet. The scientific evidence is currently being researched before we can explain the specific benefits of quercetin supplements. Research on quercetin meanwhile continues.
Always ensure a basis of a healthy and varied diet. Supplements are an addition to this, not a replacement of it.
Side effects
In general, quercetin is considered a safe supplement. There has been no research on long term use or higher doses. There’s limited information available on that.
Possible side effects of quercetin include headaches and stomach issues among others. Always follow the recommended dose on the package. If you have doubts or concerns about using quercetin supplements, it’s always wise to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. You can also always contact us directly.