Flavonoids Against Lung Cancer

Increased intake of certain flavonoids in smokers may protect them by as much as 50 percent against lung cancer risk.

Such were the findings of a UCLA study:

Increasing intakes of epicatechin, catechins, and quercetin, found in tea and vegetables were associated with significant risk reductions.

According to lead researcher Zuo-Feng Zhang from UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center:

“What we found was extremely interesting, that several types of flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer among smokers. The findings were especially interesting because tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for lung cancer.”

But still, tobacco smoke must be skipped altogether, because smoking remains a major factor for lung cancer risk. It just so interesting how smokers were protected against lung cancer risk because of increased intake of such flavonoids, while in non-smokers there wasn’t such benefits at all.

Findings were reported in the May 15 issue of Cancer.

Of course, large-based studies are necessary to further confirm the above observations.

Also, lung cancer isn’t the only cancer type that has been associated with flavonoids.

Read more from NutraIngredients.