Flavonoids: Your New Favorite Supplement

If you ask anyone what you need to do to lead a long and healthy life, the answers are always the same: exercise, drink water, get plenty of rest, reduce stress and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Now, thanks to a recent German study, we are one step closer to understanding exactly why fruits and vegetables keep us healthy. The answer? Flavonoids.

Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites, and are ofeten referred to as "biological response modifiers" due to their ability to moderate the body's response to allergens, viruses and cancer.

The German study found that birds actively selected fruit with the highest flavonoid content to maintain their health. Researchers offered birds two servings of food - identitcal in every respect except for the amount of flavonoids it contained. The birds chose the food with the higher flavonoid content.

After four weeks, the researchers tested birds who had consumed a high flavonoids diet compared with those that did not, and found that the flavonoid eating birds had stronger immune systems.

The health benefits of these natural compounds are as varied as their appearance in nature. So if you want a strong immune system, less allergic reactions and a reduced risk of cancer, you know what to do. Eat your fruits and vegetables!