Dietary flavonoid intake is associated with the regulation of nutrient metabolism in the living body. Observational and cohort studies have reported a negative association between flavonoid intake and the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Several intervention trials in humans have also supported the benefits of dietary flavonoids. In experimental studies using animal models, a daily diet rich in typical flavonoids such as catechins, anthocyanin, isoflavone, and quercetin was shown to improve whole-body energy expenditure, mitochondrial activity, and glucose tolerance. For some flavonoids, molecular targets for the metabolic modulations have been suggested. Although the effect of flavonoids on neurons has been unclear, several flavonoids have been shown to regulate thermogenesis and feeding behavior through modulating autonomic and central nervous systems. Based on epidemiological and experimental studies, this review summarizes the evidence on the metabolic benefits of flavonoids and their potential mechanism of action in metabolic regulation.

膳食类黄酮的摄入与机体营养代谢的调节有关。观察性和队列研究报告了类黄酮摄入量与代谢和心血管疾病风险之间的负相关。多项人体干预试验也支持膳食类黄酮的益处。在使用动物模型的实验研究中，富含典型黄酮类化合物（如儿茶素、花青素、异黄酮和槲皮素）的日常饮食被证明可以改善全身能量消耗、线粒体活性和葡萄糖耐量。对于一些类黄酮，已经提出了代谢调节的分子靶点。虽然黄酮类化合物对神经元的影响一直不清楚，几种黄酮类化合物已被证明可以通过调节自主神经和中枢神经系统来调节产热和进食行为。基于流行病学和实验研究，本综述总结了黄酮类化合物的代谢益处及其在代谢调节中的潜在作用机制的证据。