The flavan-3-ols are a sub-group of phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds which occur naturally in plants and have numerous health benefits but are not believed to be essential in humans) that fall into the flavonoid family. The main flavan-3-ols include: - Catechin. - Epicatechin. - Epicatechin Gallate (ECG / Epicatechin-3-Gallate). - Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG / Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate). - Gallocatechol (Epigallocatechin). - Theaflavin (TF). - Thearubigins. Tea is by far the best source of flavan-3-ols with black tea, green and oolong tea all supplying you with … [Read more...]
The Flavan-3-ols Explained
WHAT ARE THE FLAVAN-3-OLS? The flavan-3-ols (also known as catechins or flavanols) are a group of health boosting nutrients that are mainly found in cocoa beans and tea but can also be sourced from other plant based products. They were discovered and isolated in 1929 by Dr Michiyo Tusjimura at the institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Japan and make up part of the flavonoid group of phytonutrients (a group of chemical compounds which occur naturally in plants and have numerous health benefits but are not considered essential nutrients). Although the flavan-3-ols are not … [Read more...]