How Do Flavonoids Impact a Hemp-Based Product?

Flavonoids, like terpenes, may be found in a variety of plants, including hemp. While the word's meaning indicates taste, it is derived from the Latin term flavus, which means "yellow”. Flavonoids provide UV protection as well as color pigmentation to flowers, fruits, and leaves.

What Are Flavonoids Used For?

Bioactive chemicals found in hemp work collectively to offer the plant's medicinal benefits. Flavonoids are a class of substances found in hemp and cannabis that account for around 2.5 percent of the dry weight of the flowers and leaves. Flavonoids are antioxidant-rich molecules that may alter the taste profile of foods. Hemp also contains flavonoids that are not found in any other plant.

Autumn leaves are one of the most visible examples of flavonoids' impact on color change. Trees seem green in the spring and summer due to excessive chlorophyll synthesis. The flavonoids are responsible for the leaves' yellow hue at night.

Despite their name and role in leaf yellowing, flavonoids are not generally yellow in color. Anthocyanins, for example, are a common flavonoid found in fruit, where they contribute to the ripening color. They're prevalent in blueberries, blackberries, and other dark fruits, and their range is much larger than that of fading leaves.

Types of Flavonoids

More than 20 flavonoids have been found in the cannabis plant by scientists. The most commonly found flavonoids are:

• Apigenin
• Luteolin
• Quinine (also known as quercetin)
• Kaempferol
• Cannabis flavonoids A, B, and C

Cannflavins

The 23 flavonoids found in hemp plants are divided into two groups. There are those that occur naturally elsewhere and those that are exclusive to the cannabis family. The common one is cannflavins, a substance derived from the phrase’s "cannabis" and "flavonoids." Besides contributing to the flower's color, flavonoids have a function in the scents that identify strains.

Apigenin

Because apigenin is present in a wide variety of plants, its medicinal potential has been explored in animal experiments.

Luteolin

Luteolin is another flavonoid that may be found in CBD products with a high CBD content.

Kaempferol

Kaempferol has been isolated from cannabis and a variety of green leafy vegetables. It helps prevent chronic diseases like cancer.

Quercetin

Another flavonoid present in hemp plants, quercetin, is well-known for its medicinal properties.

CBD and Flavonoids

With approximately 6000 distinct varieties found in the world's flora, flavonoids are one of the most well-known groups. But how does this relate to cannabidiol? To begin with, flavonoids account for around 10% of the over 200 distinct biological chemicals found in a normal hemp plant. This is a considerable amount when compared to the emphasis on cannabinoids and terpenes.

Flavonoids are pharmacologically active. Their effects on other biological systems have been extensively recorded and researched. This is due to their abundance in the bulk of fruits and vegetables we eat. Flavonoids, like terpenes, provide a number of functions. The most well-known use of flavonoids as antioxidants is tied to their antibacterial properties.

Final Verdict

Flavonoids are phytochemicals that may be found in almost any plant, including tobacco. They contribute to the vibrant hues of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They work to attract pollinators while avoiding disease and parasites. The direct effects of flavonoids found in marijuana and hemp are less clear, and further research is needed. Flavonoids may work with cannabinoids and terpenes to increase the potency of hemp-derived CBD.