Certain Flavonoids Decrease Colorectal Cancer Risk

First things first. What the heck are flavonoids? They're antioxidant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, tea, wine, and dark chocolate.

There are many different types of flavonoids, but research published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention pinpointed certain ones that may help prevent colorectal cancer. The winners: quercetin, epicatechin, and catechin.

You can find quercetin in onions, apples, broccoli, cranberries, and grapes, while epicatechin abounds in tea and legumes. I've decided to focus my prevention efforts on catechin, conveniently located in grapes, plums, tea, red wine, and dark chocolate.

One thing to note: Some of the foods high in flavins interact with chemotherapy and other drugs, so it's important to discuss these foods with your doctor before ingesting them in large amounts.

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_Sources:

1. "Phytochemical Information Center." Produce for Better Health Foundation. Accessed 7 April 2007 [http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pulse/research/pic/phytolist/flavonoids.php].
   
2. Theodoratou, E. and Kyle, J. Dietary Flavonoids and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer." Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 16 (1 Apr. 2007): 684-693. Accessed 7 April 2007.