Furthermore, the dosage furnished by supplements can vary widely but is likely to be much higher than what you'd receive from a healthy, balanced diet. Reseachers have yet to determine exactly what levels of flavonoids are optimally beneficial, or even whether flavonoids become harmful at very high doses. As with all supplements, flavonoid supplements are not stringently regulated by the FDA.
"Much about flavonoids still remains to be discovered," observes Dr. Mitchell, "and it's important not to view them as the latest fad cure-all." Her advice echoes what your mother once told you: The most positive thing you can do for your health is to eat more fruits and vegetables.
If you're curious to learn about more whole food sources of flavonoids, the USDA has an online database of 225 foods and their flavonoid content. You can find it at www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Flav/flav.html.
