What Is Quercetin?

This flavonoid is found in many plants and foods - does it have health benefits?

Quercetin, a plant pigment, is said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This chemical compound (flavonoid) is naturally found in foods including apples, onions, teas, berries, red wine, and herbs like Ginkgo biloba and St. John's wort. It is also available in supplement form.

Quercetin is sometimes used in various health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and COVID-19. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support taking it for these conditions.

This article discusses the purported uses of quercetin and its available research. It also covers potential side effects and drug-supplement interactions.

Dietary supplements are not regulated like prescription drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF. 

However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and check in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications.

Supplement Facts

  • Active Ingredient(s): Flavonoids
  • Alternative Name(s): Polyphenolic flavonoid
  • Legal Status: Generally recognized as safe by the FDA in up to 500 milligrams per serving as an ingredient in certain foods and beverages. Supplements are not strictly regulated.
  • Suggested Dose: Safely used in doses of 250 to 1000 milligrams daily for up to 8 weeks.
  • Safety Considerations: Pregnant or lactating individuals, children, and individuals with kidney problems should not consume.

Purported Uses of Quercetin

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent a disease.

Research on the potential health benefits of quercetin is often tested with animal models. Due to the lack of human research, there is not enough evidence to support quercetin's use for the following:

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Arthritis
  • Bladder infection
  • Allergies
  • COVID-19

Moreover, there is also little evidence that taking quercetin by mouth before exercise will decrease fatigue or improve exercise ability. More research is needed as few well-designed, placebo-controlled, peer-reviewed human studies have been published.

Blood Pressure

A meta-analysis of human studies reviewed quercetin's effects on blood pressure control.

The analysis included seven trials consisting of 587 people overall. The results showed that quercetin supplementation significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These reductions were mostly seen in people taking higher doses of 500 milligrams (mg) daily or greater.

Most studies in the analysis involved people with hypertension, except for one that included people with prehypertension and stage 1 disease.

Still, it is unclear if quercetin has much clinical benefit or would be useful as an add-on supplement for people with hypertension. Further research is needed to confirm the findings, look at other dosages, and study potential interactions with antihypertensive medications.

No supplement should replace standard medical care. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Inflammation

Some studies suggest quercetin may help lower inflammation in the body.

One small study examined quercetin's possible effects on inflammation, disease severity, and symptoms in women with rheumatoid arthritis. The trial included 50 individuals who were sorted into a quercetin supplementation group or a placebo group for eight weeks. Quercetin users took 500 milligrams (mg) daily.

After eight weeks, those who received quercetin reported significantly reduced early morning stiffness, morning pain, and after-activity pain, according to the results. Quercetin users also had reduced markers of inflammation compared to those in the placebo group.

Still, more evidence is needed to recommend quercetin for this purpose. If you have pain, consult a healthcare provider for medical guidance.

Apples, blackberries, and buckwheat
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak 

What Are the Side Effects of Quercetin?

Consuming a supplement like quercetin may have potential side effects.

Quercetin is generally well-tolerated when used in appropriate amounts for short periods of time. Some possible side effects of quercetin include:

  • Tingling in the arms and legs
  • Upset stomach
  • Headaches

Check with your healthcare provider before taking quercetin. Remember to mention any medications you are taking and any pre-existing medical conditions.

Precautions

Pregnant or lactating individuals, children, and people with kidney problems should not take quercetin in any form, as not enough research has been done in these populations.

Dosage: How Much Quercetin Should I Take?

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.

With medical supervision, quercetin has been safely used in amounts of up to 1 gram daily for 12 weeks. There is not enough evidence to know if it is safe for long-term use (longer than 12 weeks).

What Happens If I Take Too Much Quercetin?

As a general guideline, never take more than the manufacturer's recommended dosage. If you experience side effects of any kind, stop taking quercetin and call your healthcare provider.

Interactions

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Medications

Quercetin may interact with the following medications:

  • Quinolone antibiotics
  • Neoral, Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
  • Voltaren (diclofenac)
  • Cozaar (losartan)
  • Versed (midazolam)
  • Mitoxantrone
  • Pravastatin
  • Minipress (prazosin)
  • Seroquel (quetiapine)
  • Azulfidine (sulfasalazine)
  • Jantoven (warfarin)
  • Diabetes medications
  • Blood pressure-lowering drugs

Quercetin can also interact with cytochrome (CYP) enzymes and affect how the liver breaks down certain medications, including those known as:

  • CYP2C8 substrates
  • CYP2C9 substrates
  • CYP2D6 substrates
  • CYP3A4 substrates

It may also interact with certain drug transporters:

  • Organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) substrates
  • OAT3 substrates
  • OAT polypeptide substrates

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are taking a medication and are unsure if it belongs to any of the above-listed categories.

Herbs and Supplements

Quercetin may interact with herbs and supplements with blood-pressure-lowering effects (e.g., andrographis, casein peptides, niacin) or those that lower blood sugar (e.g., aloe, bitter melon, chromium).

This is not a complete list of drug and supplement interactions that may occur with quercetin. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist about all the substances you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How to Store Quercetin

Store quercetin according to manufacturer's directions on the package. Discard as indicated on the packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who should not take quercetin?

    Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, and individuals with kidney problems should not take quercetin, as there is not enough information on its use in these populations.

  • What are the health benefits of quercetin?

    More research is needed to determine the exact health benefits of quercetin. Currently, there is not enough evidence to support its use for any health condition. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.

Sources of Quercetin & What to Look For

Food Sources of Quercetin

Food sources of quercetin include:

  • Onions
  • Apples
  • Black tea
  • Green tea
  • Buckwheat tea
  • Citrus fruits
  • Red grapes
  • Cherries
  • Raspberries

Quercetin Supplements

Quercetin can often be purchased online or at health food stores.

When taking quercetin in supplement form, choosing a product that also contains papain and/or bromelain may be beneficial. These plant-derived enzymes (fruit extracts) are shown to increase the intestine's absorption of quercetin.

Supplements are classified as food products, not drugs. Therefore, it is important to note that the FDA does not strictly regulate them in the United States. Sometimes, a product may be contaminated or contain products other than those listed on the label. Also, remember that it is illegal for any company to market a dietary supplement product as a treatment or cure for a specific disease.

Summary

Quercetin is a plant chemical naturally found in certain foods and drinks, like apples, tea, and onions. It is generally recognized as safe by the FDA when used as an ingredient in foods and beverages in up to 500 milligrams per serving.

Quercetin is thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. While it's been studied for various health conditions, more human studies are needed before taking quercetin for any health purpose. Although generally safe, quercetin can interact with many medications and supplements, so it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking it.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. MedlinePlus. Quercetin.

  2. National Institute of Health - Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance: Fact sheet for health professionals.

  3. Serban MC, Sahebkar A, Zanchetti A, et al. Effects of quercetin on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5(7). doi:10.1161/JAHA.115.002713

  4. Javadi F, Ahmadzadeh A, Eghtesadi S, et al. The effect of quercetin on inflammatory factors and clinical symptoms in women with rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(1):9-15. doi:10.1080/07315724.2016.1140093

  5. Anand David AV, Arulmoli R, Parasuraman S. Overviews of biological importance of quercetin: A bioactive flavonoid. Pharmacogn Rev. 2016;10(20):84-89. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.194044

  6. Mohos V, Fliszár-Nyúl E, Ungvári O, et al. Inhibitory effects of quercetin and its main methyl, sulfate, and glucuronic acid conjugates on cytochrome P450 enzymes, and on OATP, BCRP and MRP2 transporters. Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2306. doi:10.3390/nu12082306

  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Quercetin.

Additional Reading
Alena Clark

By Alena Clark, PhD
Alena Clark, PhD, is a registered dietitian and experienced nutrition and health educator

Originally written by Cathy Wong