Fight Cancer, Heart Disease And Mental Disorders With These Flavan-3-ols

The flavan-3-ols are a group of flavonoids (chemical compounds that are found in plants and have various health boosting properties) that can help your body fight a variety of nasty health disorders. In this article I will be discussing 3 of the flavan-3-ols in greater detail, outlining the richest food sources and covering their main health benefits.

1) CATECHIN:

Catechin can be found in a wide range of foods. Fruits are often the best source with blackberries containing 37.06 milligrams (mg) of this flavan-3-ol per 100 grams (g), black diamond plums containing 17.55mg per 100g and blueberries containing 37.24mg per 100g. Cocoa beans, (88.45mg per 100g), dark chocolate (11.99mg per 100g) and red wine (7.02mg per 100g) are also very good sources.

In terms of health benefits, catechin acts in a highly protective capacity throughout the body. It is an antihistamine (a substance that fights histamine and prevents allergic symptoms such as coughing and sneezing) and antioxidant (a substance that protects the body's cells from the harmful free radicals that are released during oxygen related reactions). In addition to this, catechin can fight cancer (a health disorder which causes rapid, uncontrollable cellular growth), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and various mental disorders.

2) EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE (EGCG / EPIGALLOCATECHIN-3-GALLATE)

Carob flour is the top food source of epigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG or epigallocatechin-3-gallate) and contains a significant 109.46mg of this flavan-3-ol per 100g. Tea is also a very good source with black tea containing 9.26mg per 100g, green tea containing 77.81mg per 100g and oolong tea containing 34.48mg per 100g.

Epigallocatechin gallate is one of the most beneficial flavan-3-ols around. It is a powerful antioxidant which can prevent arthritis (inflammation of the joints), heart disease and hepatitis. Additionally, it supports healthy blood flow by preventing arteriosclerosis (a condition which leads to the hardening and loss of elasticity within the artery walls), reducing blood levels of LDL cholesterol (a type of cholesterol which causes blockages in the artery walls) and reducing high blood pressure. Epigallocatechin gallate can also treat various types of cancer including brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer.

3) THEARUBIGINS:

Thearubigins are mainly found in tea. Black tea is the richest source and contains 81.3mg per 100g but green tea also contains 1.03mg per 100g.

In terms of health benefits, thearubigins are powerful antioxidants which protect the body's cells from free radicals. They may also prevent cancer, reduce blood levels of LDL cholesterol and treat diabetes (a health condition which leads to your blood glucose levels becoming extremely high) but more evidence is needed before these health benefits can be validated.