Though Bitter, Flavonoids in Black Tea and Berries Could Help Healthy Aging

Learn about flavonoids — the chemical compounds that are found in black tea, berries, and other foods and beverages — that are associated with healthy aging.

By Sam Walters
May 7, 2025 1:00 PM
Drinking black tea
(Image Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock)

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Any chemical that’s called a flavonoid has to taste good. That’s what you’d think, anyway. But some flavonoids are actually famous for their bitter taste, and can cause astringency — the dry, sometimes numbing sensation that’s created in the mouth when we consume certain foods and beverages.

But flavonoids aren’t all bad. They’re anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic. And a new study shows that that’s not the extent of their health benefits, either.

Appearing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study suggests that tasty flavonoid-filled foods and beverages — like black tea, berries, citrus, and apples — could contribute to healthy aging. Specifically, it found that higher consumption of flavonoids could reduce our risk of frailty, poor physical function, and poor mental health as we age.

“The goal of medical research is not just to help people live longer but to ensure they stay healthy for as long as possible,” said Nicola Bondonno, a study author and a lecturer at Edith Cowan University, according to a press release. “Our research shows that people who consume more flavonoids tend to age better.”

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