Research has shown how flavonoids have protective effects against the oxidative stress associated with physical activity and sports. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity. When functioning properly, free radicals can help fight off pathogens, harmful bacteria & virus, and these pathogens lead to infections.
It is known that intense physical activity leads to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are natural byproducts of cellular oxidative metabolism, which is a chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates. Reactive oxygen species play important roles in the modulation of cell survival, cell death, cell signalling, and inflammation production
Overproduction of reactive oxygen species may disrupt the physiological balance between “reactive oxygen species”-generation and the antioxidant defense systems, producing oxidative stress. Flavonoids have demonstrated some promising success in counteracting exercise-induced oxidative stress due to their antioxidant properties.
Many plant foods are rich in flavonoids, therefore, increasing fruits and vegetables in your diet is the easiest way to obtain them. Foods med lots of flavonoids could be: Berries, red cabbage, onions, kale, parsley.