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Review
. 2025 Jan 7;14(2):155.
doi: 10.3390/foods14020155.

Biological Functions and Health Benefits of Flavonoids in Fruits and Vegetables: A Contemporary Review

Xiaoyuan Zheng  1 , Xuejiao Zhang  2 , Fankui Zeng  1
Affiliations
Review

Biological Functions and Health Benefits of Flavonoids in Fruits and Vegetables: A Contemporary Review

Xiaoyuan Zheng et al. Foods. .

Abstract

Flavonoids, being prevalent in fruits and vegetables, are essential to the diverse stages of plant growth, development, and storage. Furthermore, flavonoids have been shown to exert substantial beneficial effects on human health, prompting heightened scientific interest in their potential advantages. This review elucidates the functions of flavonoids in fruits and vegetables, confirming their position as natural sources of these compounds, despite the differences in type and concentration among various species. This review elucidates the significance of flavonoids in the growth and development of fruits and vegetables, highlighting their roles in enhancing pigmentation and providing protection against both biotic and abiotic stresses. In relation to human health, flavonoids are recognized for their ability to combat aging, mitigate inflammation, safeguard the nervous system, and promote overall well-being. Additionally, this review proposes avenues for future research in the domain of flavonoids, underscoring the necessity for ongoing exploration of their potential applications and benefits.

Keywords: flavonoids; fruits and vegetables; function; human health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanism of flavonoids inhibiting fungi. The up arrow indicates that the corresponding metabolism is activated, and the down arrow indicates that the corresponding metabolism is inhibited.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mechanism of flavonoids inhibiting bacteria. The up arrow indicates that the corresponding metabolism is activated, and the down arrow indicates that the corresponding metabolism is inhibited.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Antioxidant mechanisms of flavonoids in fruits and vegetables. The up arrow indicates that the corresponding metabolism is activated, and the down arrow indicates that the corresponding metabolism is inhibited.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The function of flavonoids and its contribution to human health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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