This Remarkable Nutrient Fights off Allergies and Heart Problems

Want allergy relief and better heart health all rolled into one inexpensive remedy?

A nutrient found in certain fruits and vegetables has now been shown to both relieve the annoying symptoms of hay fever and other allergies AND defend the body from life-threatening heart problems. This nutrient all by itself is a good reason to eat more fruits and vegetables. If you're at all health-conscious, you should be devouring foods rich in this natural chemical in your daily meals. Keep reading for the full story. . .

Key Takeaways

• Allergy Relief Without Side Effects: Quercetin reduces allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose by calming histamine-producing cells.

• Heart Protection: It relaxes blood vessels for better circulation and shields the heart from damage. .

• Liver, Brain & Nerve Support: Quercetin protects neurons from oxidative stress, fights Alzheimer’s risk, and supports liver recovery from fatty liver disease.

The natural substance – quercetin – is what’s called a polyphenol. Polyphenols are a class of chemicals found in plants that, because of their unique molecular structure, are potent antioxidants. And polyphenols are the compounds that often endow plants and fruits with their flavors, scents and colors.

Safe, Harmless Way to Tackle Allergies

A growing group of studies shows that quercetin can slow down runny noses and fend off the sneezes caused by respiratory allergies like hay fever. A lab study in Japan, for instance, showed that consuming quercetin for five days can help calm an itchy nose caused by allergic reactions.¹

Another study in Asia was conducted with two dozen people who suffered from pollen allergies. The researchers demonstrated that quercetin could keep their eyes from tearing and itching.²

But alleviating allergies is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the health benefits of quercetin.

Promotes Heart Health

Protects Sharp, Clear Memory

Scientists at Cornell believe that, because quercetin is so effective in providing antioxidant protection against free radicals, it is a valuable nutrient for protecting brain cells and other parts of the nervous system from the kind of damage that increases the risk of memory loss.

Lab tests of the substance at Cornell show that it can fend off oxidative stress in neurons more effectively than other antioxidants like vitamin C.⁵

Supports Healthy Night Vision

The structures in the eye are another part of the nervous system that may benefit from quercetin. Tests of the eyes of senior citizens show that quercetin, along with other nutrients, may help older eyes adapt more readily to seeing in the dark. It may also lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older people.

The two conditions are related – studies show that the longer it takes your eyes to adjust to seeing in the dark, the greater your risk for developing macular degeneration.⁶

How To Get More Quercetin

If you’re looking to get more quercetin, some of the best sources include apples (it’s in the peel so don’t peel them before eating), onions, berries (cranberries and blueberries in particular), peppers, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, etc), leafy greens, grapes and plums. 

One other big reason to eat quercetin-rich foods is to reduce your risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a growing problem in the United States and other developed countries. Risk factors include getting older, being overweight, having high blood pressure, having high blood sugar, and smoking. NAFLD, in which fat accumulates in the liver, can lead to cancer, cirrhosis, and scarring of the liver.

A study in England shows that as NAFLD progresses, many mitochondria in liver cells become dysfunctional, and this contributes to clogging the liver with fat. But research shows that quercetin can help support a healthy liver by working at the cellular level to protect these mitochondria from malfunctioning.¹⁰

Summary

Quercetin is a potent polyphenol found in many fruits and vegetables that offers broad-spectrum health benefits. Studies show it reduces allergy symptoms, protects against heart damage, improves brain health, and supports liver detoxification. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is quercetin?

How does quercetin help with allergies?

Can quercetin help with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?

Yes. Research shows quercetin can help remove damaged mitochondria from liver cells and reduce fat buildup, making it a promising natural aid for preventing or managing NAFLD.

What foods are high in quercetin?

Is quercetin safe to take daily?