What is quercetin and how does it affect our health and longevity?

12. Februar 2025· 3 Min. Lesezeit

Lebensmittel mit Quercetin wirken antioxidativ und reduzieren Seneszenz und fördern die Langlebigkeit

In aging and longevity research, antioxidants are a central focus due to their crucial role in combating free radicals. Free radicals damage our cells and tissues, accelerate the aging process, and contribute to numerous diseases. A balanced ratio of free radicals and antioxidants is essential for a long and healthy life. Quercetin is a natural plant pigment and a powerful antioxidant that positively influences our health and longevity in various ways¹.

The Power and Potential of Quercetin

Quercetin belongs to the flavonols, a subgroup of flavonoids. Unlike certain antioxidants that our bodies can produce (e.g., glutathione), quercetin is not produced by the body itself. However, it is present in small amounts in foods such as capers, onions, and berries².

Quercetin's fame lies in its potent antioxidant properties, which are ten times stronger than synthetic products³. Its molecular structure allows it to scavenge particularly harmful reactive radicals such as hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, which are produced as byproducts of metabolism and in response to stress.

This versatile antioxidant is also involved in crucial cell cycle development and plays a key role in cell division and overall cell health, and even in regulating intercellular communication pathways.

Furthermore, quercetin has strong anti-inflammatory effects⁴. When the amount of free radicals exceeds that of natural antioxidants in our body, it can lead to oxidative stress and the activation of inflammation-related genes. Many age-related diseases are the result of chronic inflammation, so quercetin's ability to mitigate this inflammatory process is of great importance for longevity.

Quercetin and Diabetes

Studies show that quercetin improves plasma insulin levels, lowers blood glucose, maintains pancreatic beta-cell function, and promotes cellular glucose uptake, making it a promising candidate for diabetes management⁵.

Quercetin and the Cardiovascular System

In one study, ten weeks of quercetin supplementation led to a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels, which are associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases⁶.

Quercetin and Alzheimer's

Quercetin's ability to regulate apoptosis (programmed cell death) and its neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress suggest that it may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's. By promoting neuronal longevity and increasing neuron production, quercetin could delay the progression or onset of this disease⁷.

Quercetin and Joint Pain

Due to its inhibitory effect on inflammation and histamine release, quercetin has proven promising in studies for relieving inflammation and pain associated with arthritis⁸.

Quercetin as a Senolytic

As we age, more and more dysfunctional, non-dividing, senescent cells accumulate. Normally, senescent cells are removed by the immune system, but as we age, this ability in the body declines, and more and more of these "zombie cells" accumulate. The accumulation of senescent cells is one of the reasons for aging.

Senolytics like quercetin are substances that induce senescent cells to undergo apoptosis (controlled cell death)⁹. Inducing this cellular self-destruction is a possible way to combat the accumulation of senescent cells.

Senescent cells secrete a cocktail of pro-inflammatory signals known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP leads to chronic inflammation and an altered cell-to-cell signaling environment. This persistent inflammation, known as "inflammaging," is considered one of the driving forces of aging. Quercetin reduces inflammation by inhibiting some elements of the SASP¹⁰.

Sirtuin Activation

Sirtuins are a group of proteins associated with the regulation of aging processes and longevity. Some research suggests that quercetin stimulates the activity of sirtuins, thereby positively influencing the aging process¹¹.

The Safe Use of Quercetin

High-quality quercetin as a dietary supplement is obtained from the Japanese Pagoda Tree (bot. Sophora japonica) and is considered side-effect-free and well-tolerated in gentle dosages¹².

Sources +

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Borghi SM, Mizokami SS, Pinho-Ribeiro FA, et al. (2018). The flavonoid quercetin inhibits titanium dioxide (TiO2)-induced chronic arthritis in mice. J Nutr Biochem, 53, 81-95.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2017.10.010

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