Rutin is also known as rutoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and sophorin. It is a glucoside with flavonol quercetin and the disaccharide rutinose. Rutin is a plant pigment or bioflavonoid which is found in certain fruits and vegetables. Buckwheat, apples, figs, most citrus and both black and green tea possess rutin. It is available in form of supplement in tablet or capsule form. It possesses powerful antioxidant properties. It assists body in producing collagen and use Vitamin C. It is useful in treating health conditions such as high blood pressure and hemorrhoids and also lowers the level of cholesterol. It is also used to strengthen blood vessel, internal bleeding, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids and prevent strokes due to broken arteries or veins.
Food Sources of Rutin
- Capers
- Black Olive
- Buckwheat (wholegrain flour)
- Asparagus
- Black raspberry
- Red raspberry
- Buckwheat (hulled kernels)
- Buckwheat (refined flour)
- Green currant
- Plum
- Blackcurrant
Health Benefits of Rutin
Let’s know about the health benefits that rutin offers:
- Treat varicose veins
Varicose veins are common during pregnancy and people who spend longer time periods by standing. Study conducted on 69 pregnant women shows that variation of rutin when taken orally lower the symptoms of varicose veins and leg swelling with no side effects when used for more than 8 weeks. Same benefit was shown in other 22 people with varicose veins and venous insufficiency. High dose shows faster effect in comparison to lower dose but everyone got beneficiary results in 8 days.
- Helpful for hemorrhoids
The study was conducted on 40 patients with hemorrhoids who took rutin or placebo orally. It lowered pain as well as bleeding significantly.
- Brain health
Rutin was beneficial for rats with stroke preventing detrimental effects of poor blood flow to brain. It enhances memory and promotes survival of essential brain cells located in brain’s memory hub. Rutin promote survival of neural crest, an important cell which gives rise to nervous system, tissues and skin during fetal development. It protects baby’s brain during pregnancy and ensures to develop it properly.
- Lowers inflammation
Rutin lowered brain inflammation and enhanced survival of brain cells in rats having Alzheimer’s disease and low cognition. It prevents effects of poor blood flow and oxidative stress in cells.
- Heart protection
Flavonoids are well known for its cardioprotective effects. It lowers blood pressure and relax blood vessels in rats having high blood pressure that helps to establish healthy circulation and also protects heart health. It prevents oxidative damage and stress. It enhances nitric oxide production in blood vessel cells, relaxes them and lowers blood pressure. It is beneficial for people with high blood pressure. It reduces the formation of inflammatory molecules in brain cells. Rutin have shown antidepressant effects in mice, it promotes serotonin and noradrenaline levels in synapses where brain cells communicate.
- Helpful for diabetics
It protects pancrease, increase insulin levels and lower glucose in diabetic rats. It also restores normal sugar levels in liver and enzymes which break down sugars by lowering storage of fat. It rebalances sugar or fats use or breakdown in body in animals. With antioxidant action, rutin is helpful for people suffering from diabetes.
- Lowers cholesterol level
Rutin lowers total and LDL cholesterol levels without affecting good cholesterol. It lowers total cholesterol levels without any side effects.
- Liver health
Rutin have shown to prevent damage of liver and enhanced antioxidant liver enzymes by preventing the chances of liver disease.
- Bone health
Rutin have slowed loss of bones and promote bone mineralization in postmenopausal rats. Rutin halt formation of bone degrading cells in bone marrow immune cells which are overactive in osteoporosis. Rutin promotes function of bone building cells that could rebuild bones and also maintain bone health.
- Slows aging process
Rutin lowers markers of aging associated to collagen and prevents its buildup in skin cells. These aging markers increase in diabetic people and are associated to poor health. Rutin is able to use as an anti-aging supplement.
Side Effects of Rutin
- When taken orally, rutin supplements are safe in medicinal amounts for short time period.
- It causes common side effects such as high white blood cell count, nervousness, altered heartbeat, stomach upset, flushed skin, headache, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, rashes and fluid accumulation in the knees.
- When experienced signs of allergic reaction, avoid using supplement and seek for medical attention immediately.
- Rutin supplements should not be used by breastfeeding and pregnant women.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/potential-benefits-of-rutin#prevents-blood-clots
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutin
https://www.epainassist.com/vitamins-and-supplements/benefits-and-side-effects-of-rutin
https://healthifybody.com/rutin-benefits.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/potential-benefits-of-rutin#helps-blood-circulation