Flavonoids Micronutrients Macronutrients and Longevity

Most of us have never heard of flavonoids or micronutrients. This is not surprising when you consider that most Americans learned about nutrition and have been programmed by the FDA “food pyramid” which has no mention of micronutrients and, arguably, promotes potentially unhealthy foods like milk and cheese. Also, many of us change our diets to lose weight which can reduce longevity because we loose sight of maintaining healthy nutrition.

Macronutrients contain structural components and the only source of energy-giving calories in our food. They include carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Micronutrients are so named because we require them in smaller amounts. They are the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals and antioxidants that are essential for good health and longevity.

Flavonoids, a type of micronutrient, are organic compounds found in plants and have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The book, “The Real Age Makeover” recommends that you consume thirty-one milligrams of flavonoids a day. The richest sources of flavonoids are cranberries, onions, green tea, strawberries, broccoli, celery, apples and grapes. Thirty-one milligrams of flavonoids a day can decrease aging of your arteries and immune system. Also, don’t forget red wine which has anti-aging effects because it is rich flavonoids, including resveratrol, which has anti-aging and anti-cancer effects in animals.

The book has an excellent chart to help you gauge your daily intake of flavonoids. To give some scale, here are a few examples. One cup of cranberries has about 13 mg of flavonoids and an eight ounce cup of cranberry juice has about the same. An eight ounce cup of tomato juice has about 7 mg of flavonoids. One cup of applesauce, strawberries or broccoli each has about 4 mg of flavonoids.