Quercetin: Children's Benefits

Quercetin is a chemical, called a flavonoid, found in apples, red onions, red grapes and green tea. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. According to the American Cancer Society, quercetin appears to have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Though no reliable evidence has been established, some studies have found strong correlations between dietary quercetin and reductions in the incidence of allergies, heart disease and cancer. These are all potential benefits for children.

Allergies

• According to the American Cancer Society, quercetin is known to have antihistamine properties; it prevents immune cells from releasing histamines.

  Histamines are a chemical compound produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance in the body. An allergic reaction is caused when immune cells produce histamines in response to benign foreign substances, such as pollen.

  Adding fruits and vegetables that have large amounts of quercetin to your child's diet could reduce the effect of allergens. This may result in fewer asthma attacks and allergy symptoms such as hives and hay fever.

Heart Disease

• The flavonoid is known to have powerful antioxidant properties, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Add foods containing quercetin to your child's diet to promote a healthy heart and blood vessels. Also, starting your children off with a healthy diet trains them to eat healthfully later in life.

Anti-Inflammatory

• According to the American Cancer Society, population studies show that people who eat large amounts of quercetin have lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. If your child has high LDL cholesterol, increasing consumption of quercetin-rich foods may help reduce cholesterol levels.