Quercetin Can Improve Blood Vessels

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. Consumption of quercetin may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Flavonoids are rapidly metabolized after ingestion by methylation or glucuronidation, which can alter their biological activity.

Certain dietary flavonoids have been shown to increase adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase expression (AMPK). AMPK is a conserved key enzyme that affects fatty acid oxidation in cellular energy homeostasis.

The purpose of this study was to look into the effects of quercetin and its methyl and glucuronide metabolites (3′-O-methyl-quercetin and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide) on AMPK and eNOS activation in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and endothelial function in isolated aortic rings from C57BL mice.

It has been discovered that 5 and 10 M quercetin and its metabolites, as it’ll a pretreatment of arteries with quercetin and its metabolites, can protect isolated arteries against hypochlorous acid-induced endothelial dysfunction (P 0.05). AMPK inhibition prevented these protective effects.

It is also discovered that 5 and 10 M quercetin and its metabolites can activate AMPK and eNOS in human aortic endothelial cells, as well as increase S-nitrosothiols and nitrite concentrations in cell culture media (P 0.05).

These findings lend support to the cardioprotective effects of certain dietary flavonoids. They propose that the beneficial effects of quercetin on endothelial cell functions are mediated in part by the AMPK pathway.

What is Quercetin?

Quercetin is a pigment that belongs to the flavonoid class of plant compounds.

Flavonoids can be found in

Vegetables
Fruits

Grains
Tea
Wine

They have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and degenerative brain disorders (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source). It’s one of the most abundant antioxidants in the diet and helps your body fight free radical damage, which has been linked to chronic diseases. Blood testing is a good option to detect quercetin, which can be determined using a spectrophotometer UV-Vis with an adjusted wavelength (415 mm).

The beneficial effects of flavonoids such as quercetin stem from their ability to act as antioxidants within the body. Antioxidants are compounds that bind to free radicals and neutralize them. Free radicals are unstable molecules that, when present in excess, can cause cellular damage.

Furthermore, its antioxidant properties may help reduce:

Inflammatory
Allergy Symptoms
Blood Pressure

Free radical damage has been linked to a variety of chronic conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes (4Trusted Source).

The most abundant flavonoid in the diet is quercetin. It is estimated that the average person consumes 10-100 mg per day from various food sources (5Trusted Source). Onions, apples, grapes, berries, broccoli, citrus fruits, cherries, green tea, coffee, red wine, and capers are examples of foods high in quercetin (5Trusted Source).

It’s also available as a powder and capsule dietary supplement.

People take this supplement for a variety of reasons, including:

Improve Immunity
Combat Inflammation
Allergy Relief

Improve Exercise Performance
Keep General Health In Check

The Health Advantages of Quercetin

The antioxidant properties of quercetin have been linked to a variety of potential health benefits in studies.

Here are some of its most important scientific benefits.

Inflammation may be reduced

Free radicals may cause more than just cell damage.

According to research, high levels of free radicals may aid in the activation of genes that promote inflammation. As a result, high levels of free radicals may trigger an inflammatory response. While some inflammation is necessary to help your body heal and fight infections, chronic inflammation has been linked to health problems such as certain cancers, heart disease, and kidney disease.

According to research, quercetin may help reduce inflammation. In test-tube studies, quercetin reduced inflammatory markers in human cells such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

An 8-week study of 50 women with rheumatoid arthritis found that taking 500 mg of quercetin reduced early morning stiffness, morning pain, and after-activity pain significantly.

They also had lower levels of inflammation markers like TNF when compared to those who received a placebo. While these findings are encouraging, more human research is required to fully understand the compound’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Allergy Symptoms May Be Alleviated

The anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin may help alleviate allergy symptoms.

In vitro and animal studies revealed that it may inhibit inflammatory enzymes and suppress inflammatory-promoting chemicals like histamine. For example, one study found that taking quercetin supplements reduced peanut-related anaphylactic reactions in mice.

Still, it’s unclear whether the compound has the same effect on allergies in humans, so more research is needed before it can be recommended as an alternative treatment.

Anticancer properties are possible

Due to its antioxidant properties, quercetin may have cancer-fighting properties.

Quercetin was discovered to suppress cell growth and induce cell death in prostate cancer cells in a review of test-tube and animal studies.

Other test-tube and animal studies found that the compound had similar effects on cancer cells from the liver, lung, breast, bladder, blood, colon, ovarian, lymphoid, and adrenal glands.

Though these findings are promising, more human research is needed before quercetin can be recommended as an alternative cancer treatment.

It may reduce your chances of developing chronic brain disorders

According to research, the antioxidant properties of quercetin may help protect against degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Mice with Alzheimer’s disease were given quercetin injections every two days for three months in one study. By the end of the study, the injections had reversed several Alzheimer’s markers, and the mice performed significantly better on learning tests.

Another study found that a quercetin-rich diet reduced Alzheimer’s disease markers and improved brain function in mice at the early middle stage of the disease. The diet, on the other hand, had little to no effect on animals with middle-to-late-stage Alzheimer’s.

Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Research indicates that the primary compound in coffee responsible for its potential protective effects against this illness is quercetin, not caffeine. Though these findings are encouraging, more human research is required.

Blood pressure may be reduced

One in every three American adults has high blood pressure. It increases your chances of developing heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to research, quercetin may help lower blood pressure. The compound appeared to have a relaxing effect on blood vessels in test-tube studies.

When mice with high blood pressure were given quercetin twice a day for five weeks, their systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (the upper and lower numbers) fell by an average of 18% and 23%, respectively.

Similarly, a meta-analysis of 9 human studies involving 580 people discovered that taking more than 500 mg of quercetin as a supplement daily reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 5.8 mm Hg and 2.6 mm Hg, respectively.

Although these findings are encouraging, more human studies are required to determine whether the compound could be used as an alternative therapy for high blood pressure.

Other Potential Advantages

Here are a few more possible advantages of quercetin:

Could aid in the fight against aging. According to animal and test-tube studies, quercetin may help rejuvenate or eliminate aging cells and reduce aging markers. More human research, however, is required.
Exercise performance may be improved. A meta-analysis of 11 human studies discovered that taking quercetin may improve endurance exercise performance slightly.

Blood sugar control may be improved. According to human and animal studies, the compound may lower fasting blood sugar levels and protect against diabetes complications.

Quercetin has been shown to improve inflammation, blood pressure, exercise performance, and blood sugar control.

It may also have brain-protective, anti-allergy, and anticancer properties. More human research is still required.

Supplements Containing Quercetin

Quercetin is available as a dietary supplement online and in health food stores. It comes in a variety of forms, including capsules and powders.

Dosages are typically 500-1,000 mg per day.

Quercetin has a low bioavailability on its own, which means your body absorbs it poorly. As a result, other compounds, such as vitamin C or digestive enzymes like bromelain, may be included in the supplements to increase absorption (44, 45).

Furthermore, some research suggests that when combined with other flavonoid supplements, such as resveratrol, genistein, and catechins, quercetin has a synergistic effect. Click here to know about the 7 anti-inflammatory supplements for best practices.

SUMMARY: Quercetin is found in many commonly consumed foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. Doses are typically 500-1,000 mg per day.

Side Effects and Safety

Quercetin can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables and is completely safe to consume.

It appears to be generally safe as a supplement, with few to no side effects.

Taking more than 1,000 mg of quercetin per day may cause mild side effects such as headaches, stomach aches, or tingling sensations in some people. Quercetin is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women when consumed in food.

However, there have been no studies on the safety of quercetin supplements for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so you should avoid taking it if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult your healthcare provider before taking quercetin, as it can interact with certain medications, such as antibiotics and blood pressure medications.

SUMMARY: Quercetin appears to be safe in general, with few to no side effects.

However, it may interact with other medications and be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so consult your doctor before using it.

In Conclusion

The most abundant dietary flavonoid is quercetin. It has been linked to improved exercise performance as well as lower levels of inflammation, blood pressure, and blood sugar. It may also have anti-allergy, anti-cancer, and brain-protective properties.

Though the benefits appear to be promising, more human research is required.

FAQ’s

Does quercetin strengthen blood vessels?

By preventing blood platelet aggregation, enhancing the health of the cells that make up their inner wall (endothelium), and aiding in blood vessel relaxation, quercetin supports the health of blood vessels (vasorelaxation). Additionally, quercetin controls how the immune system reacts to environmental stresses and contaminants.

Does quercetin help blood flow?

It has been demonstrated that quercetin supports the cardiovascular system by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood vessel tension. Because erectile dysfunction can result from decreased blood flow, flavonoids like quercetin can also enhance men’s sexual health. The health of the brain also improves with better circulation.

Does quercetin affect blood pressure?

Conclusions. The meta-findings analysis revealed a statistically significant benefit of quercetin supplementation in lowering blood pressure, possibly only at doses of more than 500 mg per day or even higher.