flavonoid

[ fley-vuh-noid ]

noun

, Biochemistry

1. any of a group of water-soluble, principally yellow polyphenols present in plants and having a structure similar to flavone: flavonoids are noted for their antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergenic properties.

flavonoid

/ ˈfleɪvəˌnɔɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of organic compounds that occur as pigments in fruit and flowers

flavonoid

/ flā′və-noid′ /

1. Any of a large group of water-soluble plant pigments that are beneficial to health. Flavonoids are polyphenols and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. They also help to maintain the health of small blood vessels and connective tissue, and some are under study as possible treatments of cancer.
2. Also called bioflavonoid

Word History and Origins

Origin of flavonoid¹

First recorded in 1945–50; flavon(e) + -oid

Word History and Origins

Origin of flavonoid¹

C20: from flavone + -oid

Example Sentences

The bark of the trees - used in traditional medicine to treat everything from stomach complaints to infertility - contained chemicals with medicinal effects, from phenols to flavonoids.

From BBC

Many seaweeds contain phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which are important antioxidants, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, fibre, vitamins A, C and E – and minerals such as copper, zinc and iodine.

From Salon

The smalls instead come from natural oils called terpenes and flavonoids.

From Salon

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a nondestructive method utilizing light to estimate the total amount of polyphenols and flavonoids in spice extracts, along with their antioxidant and reducing capacities.

From Science Daily

However, the higher concentration of flavonoids in red wine — which is ten times higher than in white wine — makes them the main suspects for causing headaches.

From Salon