What's the difference between flavanols and flavonoids?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant-based compounds found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and cocoa. Flavanols are a specific subclass of flavonoids, prized for their powerful antioxidant properties and potential benefits for heart, brain, and vascular health.

If you're researching flavonoids or flavanols because of specific symptoms or health concerns, don't guess at what your body is telling you. Understanding the root cause of your symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment and peace of mind. Take a free, instant, private symptom check to get personalized insights and clear guidance on what to do next.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant compounds found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. They are known for their potential health benefits, including antioxidant effects. Flavanols are a specific type of flavonoid. They are found in foods like tea, grapes, and chocolate.

Key Points

Flavonoids: These are a large group of compounds that include many different types, such as flavanols, flavones, flavanones, and more.
Flavanols: These are a subtype of flavonoids. They are particularly noted for their presence in certain foods and their antioxidant properties.

Flavonoids, including flavanols, are studied for their potential health benefits, which may include supporting heart health and reducing inflammation. If you're experiencing any health concerns or symptoms that you'd like to better understand, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights. However, the exact benefits can vary depending on the specific type of flavonoid.

(References)

Ross JA, & Kasum CM. (2002). Dietary flavonoids: bioavailability, metabolic effects, and .... Annual review of nutrition, 12055336.
Ku YS, Ng MS, Cheng SS, Lo AW, Xiao Z, Shin TS, et al. (2020). Understanding the Composition, Biosynthesis, .... Nutrients, 32521660.
Zhuang WB, Li YH, Shu XC, Pu YT, Wang XJ, Wang T, & Wang Z. (2023). The Classification, Molecular Structure and Biological .... Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 37110833.

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