Understanding the Potential of Flavonoids

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By now everyone has heard of THC and CBD, but there are so many other molecules that contribute to cannabis’ medical benefits.

Flavonoids are another type of compound found in cannabis that can affect the color, aroma, flavor, and effect of the plant. While they have been widely studied in other medicinal plants, they are largely understudied in cannabis.

Cannabis has over 20 different types of flavonoids. These flavonoids help mitigate plant stress and may provide a medical benefit in humans as well.

What are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are primarily responsible for the colors we see in cannabis and can range from purple, to orange, to white. 

Much of cannabis shopping is done with the eyes. People who love the look of purple strains have flavonoids to thank. Some commonly purple strains include Purple Haze, Tropicanna Cherry, and Hindu Kush. Some strains like Black Cherry Soda are so dark purple that they may appear to be black.

Different strains produce different amounts of flavonoids, which makes each distinctive. In cannabis, the leaves contain the highest concentration of flavonoids, but they are also found in the stems and flowers as well.

Flavonoids are not unique to cannabis and are present in all plants. In fact, they are responsible for many of the colors we see in plants. When it comes to the flavor and aroma of cannabis, terpenes have been given all the credit. But flavonoids contribute to the flavor and aroma of plants too.

Like many secondary plant compounds, flavonoids are essential to plant growth. They can help resist stress from drought, frost, predation, and light, according to research in the journal Molecules. They are shown to have a number of benefits for humans, too.

For example, flavonoids “have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects,” according to research in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. They are also found to have anti-aging, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity effects, among more benefits. 

Anthocyanins

One of the most well known classes of flavonoids are anthocyanins. They produce a blue-purple pigment and are found in fruits and veggies such as plums, grapes, berries, and cabbage. Anthocyanins are also commonly found in cannabis strains like Granddaddy Purps, Tropicana Cookies, and Purple Punch. They are widely studied for their protection against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Depending on the environment, the pigmentation of anthocyanins may be slightly different, according to the Food and Nutrition Research journal. In lower pH environments, anthocyanins take on more red colors and in higher pH environments, they appear to be more blue. Light, temperature, and presence of metals are other factors that can influence their color.

Flavanols

Flavanols are another class of flavonoids in many fruits and vegetables, as well as tea and cocoa. Chocolate, for example, has a high flavanol content. Research suggests that these compounds could influence cardiac health, such as lower blood pressure.

According to Harvard Medical School, flavanols appear to increase blood flow to the brain which has been linked with improved cognitive function with age. Flavanols also seem to prevent cardiovascular disease, according to research in the European Heart Journal.

Flavones

Flavones are a class of flavonoid that produces a milky or white color to them, and also can help stabilize blue pigments in flowers. Plants such as celery, chamomile, and thyme are known to contain high concentrations of flavones.

Some well-studied flavones include quercetin and kaempferol, both of which are shown to treat different ailments. For example, research in the Pharmacognosy Review suggests that quercetin may help with arthritis, obesity, and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels which can increase blood flow). 

Meanwhile Kaempferol has been used during chemotherapy partially due to its anti-cancer properties, according to research in the journal Molecules. It is present in foods such as beans, broccoli, capers, and chia seeds.

Cannflavins

It is true that all plants contain flavonoids, but cannabis has a few that make it special. Cannflavins A, B, and C are mainly unique to cannabis and may provide their own benefits. For example, Cannflavin A has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory as well as a neuroprotectant.

Cannflavins A, B, and C have also shown potential to fight multiple types of cancer as well as nervous system diseases. Cannflavins may contribute to the benefits cancer patients find with cannabis.

The medical possibility of cannabis is not fully understood without also understanding its unique compounds.

Many Factors Affect Flavonoid Production

Flavonoids in cannabis may vary depending on the strain and even the growing conditions. Research done on genetically identical cannabis plants found that plants grown at a higher altitude exhibited higher concentrations of Cannflavins A, B, and C, while plants grown at a lower altitude had a higher concentration of apigenin, a common flavonoid from the flavone class. As previously noted, pH can affect the flavonoid expression of plants. Studies using poppy plants have shown that flavonol and anthocyanin concentrations vary in low pH vs high pH environments. 

Protection is one of the main functions of secondary plant compounds. Flavonoids are no exception as they play a huge role in protection from UV exposure. In fact plants exposed to UV rays show an increased production of flavonoids. Because of this, sungrown cannabis may contain more flavonoids compared to cannabis grown under lights. Some research has already suggested this could be the case for cannabinoids and terpenes as well.

The Future of Flavonoids in Cannabis

While cannabinoids and terpenes are widely discussed in the cannabis industry, there is still much unknown about cannabis flavonoids despite their possible role in the entourage effect. Cannabis sold in legal markets requires a laboratory test that provides consumers with the cannabinoid contents and sometimes terpene contents, but flavonoids are almost never tested despite making up about 2.5% of the dry weight of the plant. 

The lack of proper testing and research limits knowledge of flavonoids. The reformation of cannabis laws will allow for more research, and hopefully provide consumers with more clarity of cannabis’ compounds and all the potential benefits they hold.