What are the health effects of apigenin? Is it safe?

Apigenin is a flavonoid compound that occurs naturally in many vegetables and has gained attention in recent years for its potential health benefits. It is especially common in everyday vegetables such as celery, onions and tomatoes. As a natural antioxidant, apigenin not only gives vegetables their unique taste and colour, but also plays an important role in maintaining human health.

Health effects of apigenin

1. Antioxidant and anti-aging

Apigenin has a powerful antioxidant capacity, which can effectively scavenge free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress, thus protecting cells from damage. This antioxidant effect helps to slow down the aging of the body, keep the skin young and reduce the formation of wrinkles and pigmentation.

2. Reduce blood pressure

Apigenin also has the effect of lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown that apigenin can dilate blood vessels, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity, thus effectively lowering blood pressure. This is undoubtedly a blessing for people with high blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease to a certain extent.

3. Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer

Apigenin also has certain anti-inflammatory effects, which can inhibit inflammatory reactions and reduce the damage of inflammation to the body. In addition, apigenin has anti-cancer potential, inhibiting the growth and spread of tumour cells and promoting apoptosis. Several studies have shown that apigenin has preventive and therapeutic effects on a variety of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer.

4. Improve cardiovascular health

Apigenin also has positive effects on cardiovascular health. It lowers blood lipid and cholesterol levels, reduces fatty deposits on the inner walls of blood vessels, and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis. At the same time, apigenin can also enhance the contractility of the heart muscle, improve heart function and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

5. Improve immunity

Apigenin also has the effect of improving immunity. It can enhance the activity of immune cells, improve the body’s resistance to viruses and bacteria, and reduce the risk of infection and disease. In addition, apigenin promotes wound healing and speeds up the body’s recovery.

Safety of Apigenin

Despite the numerous health benefits of apigenin, the discussion about its safety never stops. Current research suggests that moderate intake of apigenin is safe and does not cause significant side effects in the body. However, excessive intake of apigenin may lead to some adverse reactions such as diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Therefore, when consuming apigenin-rich vegetables, one should pay attention to moderate intake and avoid excessive consumption.

In addition, special groups such as pregnant women, lactating women and children should consume apigenin in moderation under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian. Meanwhile, people with a history of allergy to apigenin should avoid consuming apigenin-rich vegetables to avoid triggering allergic reactions.

How to consume apigenin

To make the most of the health benefits of apigenin, we can consume apigenin-rich vegetables in our daily diet. Here are some suggestions:

1. Eat more celery, onion, tomato and other apigenin-rich vegetables to ensure adequate intake of apigenin.
2. When cooking, try to use low-temperature cooking methods such as steaming, boiling and stewing to preserve the apigenin in vegetables.
3. Diversify the diet and eat more different kinds of vegetables to obtain more comprehensive nutrition.
4. Pay attention to moderate intake and avoid excessive consumption of apigenin-rich vegetables.

In conclusion, apigenin, as a flavonoid compound naturally occurring in vegetables, has many health benefits. Moderate consumption of apigenin-rich vegetables can give full play to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects and maintain human health. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the safety of apigenin to avoid the adverse effects caused by excessive intake.