ABSTRACT
A strong, inverse association between the intake of plant foods, including not only fruit and vegetables but also nuts, red wine, green tea, and whole grains, and the incidence of chronic disease suggests they possess bioactive constituents with mechanisms of action that favorably impact pathogenic processes.1-5 Indeed, the spectrum of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, carotenoids, phenolics, and organosulfur compounds,6 possesses a diverse array of relevant bioactivity such as reducing inflam mation, inhibiting oxidative stress, and modulating phase II enzymes. Flavonoids, a subfamily of polyphenols, are secondary metabolites involved in plant
CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 19 Sources and Intakes of Flavonoids ..........................................................................20 Bioactivity of Flavonoids .........................................................................................22 Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion of Flavonoids ...........................................22 Factors Affecting Flavonoid Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics .......................23
