As much as it is quite popular, there hasn’t been much conversation about the side effects of apigenin.
Apigenin is a flavone compound found in various herbs, fruits, and plants.
Some examples are parsley, oranges, celery, oregano, grapefruit, sorghum, onions, and chamomile tea.
It also goes by “biapigenin” and is a popular ingredient in anti-anxiety and antioxidant supplements.
Despite its popularity, there are some serious side effects of apigenin that everyone should know about.
Read on to find out more about them.
Apigenin benefits
Although there are many side effects of apigenin, here are some of the things it is good at.
It helps with sleep
Not getting enough sleep is one of the most common sources of chronic stress in the body.
It affects not only your physical well-being but also your mental health.
Herbs containing apigenin, like chamomile tea, can help you sleep better at night and function properly the following day.
It improves male fertility
Testosterone is an essential hormone in the male reproductive system.
It plays a vital role in the production of sperm.
Men’s testosterone levels can decrease as they age, causing fatigue, reduced muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, and other undesirable symptoms.
This is where compounds like apigenin come in.
Such flavonoids can help delay the decline of testosterone levels, which is usually caused by aging.
It may even increase the amount of testosterone that your testicles produce.
It calms down anxiety
Do you find yourself experiencing frequent panic attacks?
Well, you might have found a cure right here.
Flavonoids like apigenin may be able to suppress your Central Nervous System to help you feel calmer and less on edge.
It regulates blood sugar
Apigenin may have the ability to regulate your blood sugar level by increasing the amount of insulin that your body releases.
If you are trying to manage your blood sugar, it can help you do so effectively.
It helps manage cancer
Cancer occurs when cells multiply abnormally in your body.
Currently, chemotherapy is the most effective way of managing cancer, but it may have some side effects and be costly.
Thankfully, there’s a slight chance that flavonoids like apigenin can help reduce the multiplication of cells in your body.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can equip the immune system to help the body fight cancer better.
How much apigenin should I take?
Apigenin is generally safe in low to moderate doses.
In most cases, any side effects of apigenin that you may suffer come from high dosage.
Note that “moderate” and “high” are relative concerning the dosage.
Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider if you intend to take it in higher-than-normal doses.
Does apigenin increase testosterone?
According to research, apigenin can potentially increase the activity of Leydig cells, which are the primary sources of testosterone in males.
This helps boost testosterone levels in the body, promoting fertility.
What is the best time of the day to take apigenin?
If you are using it as a supplement, take it before you go to bed, preferably alongside a rich source of dietary fat.
But it may be better in the morning if you want healthy stress levels.
Side effects of apigenin
If you are among the thousands of people that love chamomile tea, then these side effects of apigenin should be at the back of your mind.
Here are some of them:
#1. It has a sedative effect
At high doses, apigenin can trigger a lot of muscle relaxation, which can cause sedation.
Sedation occurs when you feel calm or sleepy after taking a drug to calm down your nervous system.
This means it is not advisable to take apigenin when you require a lot of mental energy, like driving or operating heavy machinery.
#2. It can lower your blood pressure
Apigenin may cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure.
It generally lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels to allow blood flow more easily.
While this may benefit people with hypertension, the same cannot be said for people with low blood pressure.
If you are at risk of low blood pressure, you may want to avoid products or foods with this compound.
Should you experience any common symptoms of low blood pressure, like dizziness and fatigue, while using apigenin, make sure you see your doctor to help you achieve an optimum level.
#3. It has mutagenic properties
A mutagen is an agent that has the potential to induce mutations in the DNA.
When used in extremely high amounts, apigenin has the potential to exhibit mutagenic properties.
It can also become pro-oxidant and generate free radicals instead of acting as an antioxidant.
#4. It can cause arrhythmia
An arrhythmia occurs when your heart rate becomes faster or slower.
There’s a risk of apigenin making your heart beat faster or slower than normal.
#5. It has blood-thinning properties
Apigenin possesses some anticoagulant properties.
This means it may prevent the formation of blood clots in your body, which puts you at risk of excessive bleeding.
It is advisable to avoid it if you are already taking other blood thinners.
Additionally, taking it during or after surgery could also increase your chances of blood loss.
#6. It may cause stomach discomfort
Apigenin can cause stomach upset if you take it on an empty stomach.
The stomach upset may be accompanied by slight nausea in some cases.
If you plan to take apigenin, make sure you do it after a meal or a snack.
#7. It can lower your blood sugar levels
Are you watching your blood sugar levels? If yes, then you may want to steer clear of this compound.
One of the side effects of apigenin is that it can make hypoglycemia worse by lowering the amount of glucose in your blood.
A few symptoms that could point to this are fatigue, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating.
#8. It may trigger allergic reactions
It is possible to experience allergic reactions in the form of skim itching or redness when using apigenin.
If this happens to you, discontinue it, then seek medical help and advice on what to replace it with.
However, apigenin also contains anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. It can also suppress allergic reactions.
Remember to consult with your doctor if you are allergic to flavonoids.
#9. It may inhibit certain enzymes
At high doses, apigenin can inhibit critical enzymes involved in hormone metabolism.
Furthermore, apigenin can also disrupt metabolic pathways.
This is why it is essential to consult a doctor to advise you on what amount of it would support optimum health in your body.
#10. It may interfere with hormone therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is frequently used to treat menopausal symptoms. However, this can increase the risk of cancer.
Studies found that pairing the treatment with apigenin reduces the risk of developing tumors.
Apigenin binds itself to estrogen receptors.
This means if you are taking it alongside hormonal therapy with drugs like Nolvadex, then there’s a risk of it interfering with the therapy.
It’s recommended that you avoid pure apigenin supplements when taking hormone therapy medication.
Conclusion
Most of the side effects of apigenin occur when you ingest it at an amount higher than what you would obtain from a regular vegetarian diet.
When taken in low doses, it is relatively safe.
Therefore, ask your doctor what levels favor you for safety, considering your health and predispositions.
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