What are Flavonoids?
We often speak to people who are highly educated about CBD. But even some of these users are unfamiliar with “flavonoids.”
While understanding what flavonoids are remains rare, the compounds themselves are common. Like our other favourite compounds terpenes, flavonoids appear in a range of natural products you’ve likely come across already today.
The Natural Colour Palette
The vibrant green of a parsley bunch, the enticing rouge of a summer strawberry or the translucent colour of a juicy grape. The vibrancy of fauna enriches our daily lives.
In fact, studies show houseplants improve our daily mood, reducing anxiety and providing a calming presence.
Flavonoids are responsible for the diverse range of colours we experience in all fruits and vegetables. They are the largest group of phytonutrients, with over 6,000 types.
However, they can be very delicate to heat during cooking. Shorter cooking times and lower heat can help to preserve these phytonutrients.
One way of telling if the flavonoids have been destroyed is through colour. This is why your broccoli may lose its vibrant colour when over-steamed!
Scientific Support
In recent years, the scientific community has awoken to their potential benefits. The Linus Pauling Institute has noted flavonoids may exhibit anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting properties.
There is a reason you have been told to eat five fruit and veg a day, since you were young. Diets rich in fruit and vegetables are associated with preventing cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Flavonoids in CBD
The Cannabis Sativa L. plant (our favoured species) is no different to other plants. There are about 20 known flavonoids produced in the cannabis plant. These phytonutrients lend the dark green colour to cannabis.
Flavonoids play an important role alongside other plant matter and terpenes in the “entourage effect.” This is as they also bind to cannabinoid receptors, and thus affect the ratios of processed compounds.
Flavonoids are typically more present in Broad Spectrum oils, displayed by its darker colour and richer taste. You may also be able to taste these phytonutrients more with a higher strength CBD oil, for more experienced users.
Meet the Flavonoids
1. Cannflavin
Ranging from Cannaflavin A through to Cannaflavin C, this range of Prenylflavonoids are abundant in cannabis.
A & B were discovered in the 1980s and Cannaflavin C was only identified in 2008.
These compounds help with the dark green colour in the cannabis plant.
There is ongoing scientific research to investigate whether they have anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Anthocyanin
This flavonoid is common in a range of plants and it’s a pigment that gives off red, purple and blue colourings.
This may seem very unusual to be a common flavonoid in cannabis. Yet, many strains of cannabis actually have purplish hues to the flowers. The most popular of these pay testament to the nutrient through their names- such as Granddaddy Purple, Purple Haze, Sour Grape and Purple Diesel.
Anthocyanins can be found in red onions, berries, grapes, pomegranates, tomatoes and elderberries among others. The media have labelled foods high in anthocyanins as “superfoods”, however, it’s too early in research to come to a conclusion.
They’re also responsible for the pigmentation of unusual vegetables such as purple carrots, sweet potato and broccoli!
However, as its such a delicate molecule, this pigment may be released into the cooking water when boiled.
3. Apigenin
A typical dietary flavonoid that is common in fruits, vegetables and Chinese medicinal herbs.
This compound has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Like other flavonoids, Apignen can be found in many fruits and vegetables.
In particular, Apignen is ubiquitous in parsley, celery and chamomile. It even lends the yellowish hue to the latter.
It’s also commonly used to dye wool, seen as a more natural alternative to industrial chemicals.
4. Quercetin
The unusually named quercetin is a bitter flavonoid whose name comes from the latin name for oak forest.
It is frequently used as a dietary supplement in its own right in the United States.
Frequently found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, Quercetin also features in bitter foods such as watercress, rocket and capers. Surprisingly, it’s even included in some of our favourite drinks- such as green tea, coffee and red wine.
What are Terpenes?
Not unlike Flavonoids, terpenes are often found in cannabis. Yet, typically little is known about them.
The alluring fragrance of a citrus fruit, the calming scent of a pine tree, or the hot aroma of black pepper. Terpenes are the compounds responsible for all these smells, and much more.
A family of organic, aromatic compounds that are typically produced by plants, terpenes typically have strong, distinctive scents. These smells affect the behaviour of fauna that engage with the plant.
These scents affect the behaviour of animals that come into contact with the plant. This includes deterring animals that might want to eat the plant, or more positively attracting pollinating insects.
Mycrene is the most abundant terpene found in the Cannabis plant. It’s often described as having an earthy, fruity, clove-like aroma and is found in a huge variety of different plants, ranging from the fruit of the mango tree to wild thyme. A Swiss study from 1997 suggests it could comprise up to 50% of the terpenes in one strain of Cannabis Sativa L.
Limonene is the terpene found in many varieties of citrus fruit. These range from lemons (surprise surprise) to grapefruits. It’s also abundant in many different strains of Cannabis Sativa and those sold for recreational purposes in the USA. So, it gave rise to a variety of flowery names: lemon haze, lemon kush, orange kush, etc.
Limonene even lends its characteristic aroma to Broad Spectrum Dragonfly CBD Oil!
Which CBD Oils contain Flavonoids?
Not all CBD Oil contains flavonoids. In fact, you need to keep your eyes peeled for the right products.
A Broad Spectrum extract is best placed to deliver the range of plant matter needed for the appearance of terpenes and flavonoids. Made from Cannabis Sativa L. extract, Broad Spectrum Dragonfly CBD Oil retains the plant’s natural complexity. This CBD Oil harnesses the harmonising entourage of flavonoids and terpenes.
Using a special double-distillation process, our Broad Spectrum Oil is THC-free, which is uncommon for many similar products.
Dragonfly CBD is available across the UK, in a number of fantastic retailers. Stocked in Boots, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Day Lewis Pharmacy among other independent pharmacies, Dragonfly CBD will soon be one of the first CBD brands launched on Amazon. You can find your local outlet selling Dragonfly CBD with this handy search tool! You can also buy us online.
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