Flavonols are antioxidants which can protect against cancer, heart disease, degenerative illnesses and the effects of ageing. The research could be a factor in why people who eat a Mediterranean diet live longer. Scientists from Glasgow University have found that some fruits and vegetables have more flavonols than others. Tiny cherry tomatoes have many more of the chemicals than bigger tomatoes, for example.
Red onions are full of flavonols while the white version has almost none.
Red-coloured Lollo Rosso lettuce has 100 times more flavonols than ordinary lettuce. Wines whose grapes are left to ripen for a long time in the sun, such as Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and some French red wines, are also more flavanol rich. Top healthy wines include Cabernet and Merlot, while Beaujolais has a relatively low level of the chemicals. A tomato is not just a tomato - there are different types. You can select a different variety and your flavonol content will increase dramatically.