1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Colon Cancer

This Week in Research (April 7, 2007)

From , former About.com Guide

Updated: May 5, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

3 of 6

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.

Related Research Summaries:
Explore Colon Cancer
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Colon Cancer
  4. Research
  5. Flavonoids - Certain Flavonoids Decrease Colorectal Cancer Risk

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.