Cannabis Flavonoids: What Cannflavins Do Beyond THC and Terpenes

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are plant compounds that give cannabis part of its color, aroma and flavor, and they may add therapeutic perks of their own, like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Most people only talk about cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes when they talk about weed, but flavonoids are another key piece of the puzzle. Cannabis flavonoids shape smell, taste and color, and research suggests they may have healing potential too. Lab studies have found that cannflavins A and B, two flavonoids unique to cannabis, are roughly 30 times more effective than aspirin at blocking certain inflammatory molecules.

Part of why flavonoids matter comes down to the "entourage effect," the synergy between cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and the other compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. The entourage effect means consumers may get more therapeutic benefit from whole-plant compounds working together than from isolated ones, although flavonoids can still be useful on their own.

So what exactly are flavonoids, and why do they matter?

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant chemicals with more than 6,000 known varieties. You'll find them in most vegetables and fruits, in cannabis and in plenty of other plants. They're one of the compounds behind the bright colors of fruits, vegetables and flowers. In plants, flavonoids attract pollinators (bees and butterflies), fight off environmental stress and regulate cell growth.

But what do flavonoids do for humans? Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potential anticancer properties. Researchers have linked flavonoid intake to longer life, better blood vessel function in people with diabetes and a lower cancer risk.

Flavonoids belong to the polyphenol class of plant chemicals, compounds that have been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. People often turn to polyphenols for skin protection, brain function, blood sugar and blood pressure control.

Some flavonoid-rich foods are strawberries, kale, tea, grapes, onions, chocolate and even red wine. Keep in mind that how you cook or store food can change how many flavonoids it keeps. When a fruit or vegetable loses its bright color, it's losing flavonoids.

Cannabis keeps turning up interesting compounds. Flavonoids in cannabis are badly understudied compared with the plant's other compounds, but research keeps showing that every part of the plant has a job. An estimated 10% of the compounds in the cannabis plant are flavonoids.

Just like in other flowers, flavonoids affect cannabis's pigmentation. Together with terpenes, flavonoids also help create cannabis's aroma and flavor.

Researchers have identified more than 20 flavonoids in the cannabis plant, and the ones unique to weed are known as cannflavins. Like most cannabis compounds, cannabis flavonoids won't get you high, but they are pharmacologically active and may have therapeutic benefits.

Like the flavonoids in food, cannflavins show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial activity in research. Cannabis flavonoids may help lower the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease and even cancer, though most of this evidence is early. In particular, when combined with other cannabis compounds, cannflavins may help with pain like migraines and headaches.

In line with the entourage effect, flavonoids may help boost the benefits and healing properties of other compounds, like cannabinoids. Because different strains contain different ratios of compounds, or lack some of them entirely, medical benefits and psychoactive effects vary from strain to strain.

The flavonoids found only in cannabis are cannflavins A, B and C. Beyond those, cannabis shares the same flavonoids as other plants. There are thousands of flavonoids; these are some of the most abundant ones in nature.

Quercetin: Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid in the human diet. Found in cannabis, apples, chocolate, red wine, green tea and more, it has antifungal and antioxidant properties. Researchers think it could potentially help lower cholesterol.

Catechin: Found in cocoa, tea and fruits like apples and pears, catechin appears to be a powerful antioxidant. It's linked to heart health benefits and has antiviral activity.

Taxifolin: Found in some vinegars, taxifolin shows promising activity in research against inflammation, microbial infection, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.

Hesperetin: Found in lemons and oranges, hesperetin shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Rutin: Found in green tea, red bell peppers, apples and more, rutin may lower markers of stress and inflammation, which may improve metabolic function.

Isovitexin: Researchers know isovitexin for its antitumor and antioxidant effects in lab studies.

Apigenin: Plentiful in celery, basil, cilantro and more, apigenin may help with anxiety and depression.

Anthocyanin: Found in grapes and some tropical fruits, anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants, and they're behind the purple hues in some strains.

Cannflavins A and B: Found only in cannabis, cannflavins A and B are being studied as anti-inflammatory agents.

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