Quercetin: For Allergies, Inflammation, And So Much More

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Quercetin is more than just the pigment that gives many fruits and vegetables their rich colors. It is a plant compound that helps support your body’s natural defenses. Found in familiar foods like onions, apples, and berries, quercetin has been studied for its potential to calm inflammation, ease allergy symptoms, and promote heart health. In this article, we explore how quercetin works in the body and consider how supplements might be helpful.

What Is Quercetin?

Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in more than twenty different plant sources and is one of the most commonly consumed flavonols in the human diet. It is abundant in many fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods. Quercetin is known for its strong antioxidant activity, which helps protect the body from free radicals. These unstable molecules can contribute to problems such as high blood pressure, vascular disorders and metabolic syndrome. Diets rich in flavonoids, including quercetin, have been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Studies have highlighted quercetin’s wide-ranging biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, vasodilating, anti-obesity, antihypercholesterolemic, and antiatherosclerotic actions. It has also been investigated for its possible role in helping protect against conditions such as osteoporosis, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. ~PMC5214562

Quercetin is available as a dietary supplement in capsules or tablets. Research continues to explore its potential benefits for inflammation, allergies, cardiovascular health and immune function. Although the evidence is encouraging, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety. As with any supplement, it is wise to consult a healthcare professional before taking quercetin, since it may interact with medications or cause side effects in some individuals.

What are the Benefits of Quercetin?

Quercetin is a flavonoid with antioxidant properties that has been studied for its potential health benefits. Some of the key health benefits of quercetin include:

• Gout: A clinical study showed that 500 mg/day of quercetin for 4 weeks lowered uric acid 8%. [PMID: 26785820] Other studies with lower dosages didn’t show an effect. [PMC9315272]
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Quercetin may help reduce inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory substances in the body. A study found that women with rheumatoid arthritis who took 500 mg of quercetin daily for 8 weeks had less morning stiffness, less pain, and reduced disease symptoms. Additionally, there was a decrease in a specific inflammatory marker in their blood. ~PMID: 27710596
• Allergy relief: Quercetin has been shown to stabilize mast cells [PMC4808895] and reduce the release of histamine, which can help manage allergies and their symptoms.
• Cardiovascular health: Quercetin may help improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure, preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, and reducing inflammation in blood vessels. A study reporting the effect of adding quercetin to antihypertensive and uric acid-lowering drugs in patients with gout and hypertension showed better uric acid levels in a shorter time and better heart and kidney function, and blood pressure lowering than patients not taking quercetin. [PMID: 30684340]
• Immune support: Some studies suggest that quercetin may have antiviral properties, helping to support the immune system against infections such as the common cold and the flu. [PMC8662201]
• Anticancer properties: Research indicates that quercetin may have potential anticancer effects by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, inducing apoptosis, and preventing the spread of cancer cells. [PMID: 30039547]
• Blood sugar control: Some studies suggest that quercetin may help regulate blood sugar levels, which could be beneficial for people with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes. [PMC9409999]
• Possible benefit for autoimmune conditions: In several recent studies quercetin has helped conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus in humans or animal models. [PMID: 34248976]
• Increases Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Findings from a recent cell study showed that quercetin can raise mitochondrial biogenesis and cut down on the damage caused by oxidative stress. [PMC9414536]
• Senolytic Effects: In a study of fat cells, quercetin was found to be a potential senolytic and anti-inflammatory. “Senolytics” selectively eliminate senescent cells, which are old, damaged cells that have stopped dividing and contribute to age-related diseases. [PMC8636588]

Is Quercetin Safe?

Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and grains. It is safe when consumed in amounts typically found in a balanced diet. Dietary supplements containing quercetin offer a concentrated dose and are widely used to support health. Research suggests that quercetin supplements are safe for most people when taken for up to several months at the commonly recommended dosages. Side effects are rare but may include headaches and mild stomach upset. Quercetin’s antioxidant properties make it a popular choice for those looking to enhance their overall health through dietary supplementation.

Medication Interactions with Quercetin

• Chemotherapy drugs: Quercetin may interact with certain chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin or etoposide, potentially affecting their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Consult a healthcare professional before using quercetin with chemotherapy medications.
• Antibiotics: Quercetin may reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics.
• Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications: Quercetin may have blood-thinning effects, may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) or antiplatelet medications (e.g., aspirin or clopidogrel).
• Medications Metabolized by Cytochrome P450 (Minor interaction): Quercetin may affect the activity of certain liver enzymes, such as those in the cytochrome P450 system, which are involved in the metabolism of many medications. These include warfarin (Coumadin), fluoxetine (Prozac), simvastatin (Zocor), omeprazole (Prilosec), diazepam (Valium), citalopram (Celexa), and cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). This interaction may alter the effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects of medications metabolized by these enzymes.

Supplement Interactions with Quercetin

• Bromelain: Combining quercetin with bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple, may enhance the absorption and anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin. This combination is sometimes used to manage allergies and inflammation.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C may increase the absorption of quercetin, potentially enhancing its antioxidant effects. This combination is sometimes used to support immune function and general health.
• Green tea extract: Green tea extract contains catechins, another type of flavonoid, which may have synergistic effects with quercetin in terms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the combination may also increase the risk of side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort.
• St. John’s wort: Both quercetin and St. John’s wort may affect the activity of certain liver enzymes, such as those in the cytochrome P450 system. Combining these supplements may lead to altered effectiveness or increased risk of side effects of medications metabolized by these enzymes. Warfarin (Coumadin), fluoxetine (Prozac), simvastatin (Zocor), omeprazole (Prilosec), diazepam (Valium), citalopram (Celexa), and cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) are all examples of medications metabolized by Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Use caution when combining quercetin and St. John’s wort.

Food Sources of Quercetin

Here is a table listing some common food sources of quercetin and their approximate quercetin content of foods:

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