Myricetin and Dihydromyricetin are two compounds that are found in many plants. Both compounds have been shown to have health benefits. But what is the difference between Myricetin and Dihydromyricetin? And which one is better for you?
This article will discuss the difference between Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin and its benefits and uses.
What is Myricetin?
Myricetin is a flavonoid compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. It is known to improve cognitive function and protect the brain from age-related damage. [1]
What is Dihydromyricetin?
Dihydromyricetin has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. It has also helped improve cognitive function and protect the brain from age-related damage. [2]
Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin Difference
Both are flavonoids, but they differ. The first difference is that Dihydromyricetin is found in fewer plants than Myricetin. Dihydromyricetin is a flavonoid compound found in a few plants, including vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) and the Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis).
H. dulcis is found natively in the forests of Thailand and North Vietnam, but it is native to Japan, China, North Korea, and South Korea. On the other hand, Myricetin is found in many plants, including grapes, tomatoes, and green tea.
Myricetin shares structural similarities with the flavonols fisetin, luteolin, and quercetin and is believed to perform many of the same roles as these other compounds. [3] On the other hand, Dihydromyricetin is often offered as a supplement and has a contentious role in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
Both are effective in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. Myricetin is often used as a supplement for its antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, while Dihydromyricetin is often used as a hangover cure and to protect the liver. [4]
Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin Benefits
Both Dihydromyricetin and Myricetin are supplements that have been shown to have health benefits, which include:
Antioxidant
Dihydromyricetin and myricetin are both powerful antioxidants. These compounds can scavenge free radicals and protect cells from damage. According to research using oil and emulsions, Myricetin exhibited significant antioxidant activity in oils at 60 or 30°C stored at 30°C, making it a good preservative for foods containing oils. [5]
Anti-Inflammatory and Cognitive Enhancement
Dihydromyricetin has a stronger effect on the brain than Myricetin. Dihydromyricetin has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression in animal studies.
A study states that patients with Alzheimer’s may benefit from myricetin and dihydromyricetin because of their ability to efficiently lower inflammatory factor levels, hence decreasing inflammatory brain damage. [6]
It has also been shown to improve cognitive function and protect the brain from age-related damage, while Myricetin has only improved cognitive function. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also help reduce the risk of arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. [7]
Anti-Anxiety
Dihydromyricetin has been shown to reduce anxiety in animal studies, while Myricetin has only been shown to reduce anxiety in cell-based studies. [8]
Anti-Diabetic
Dihydromyricetin may help to lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and inhibiting the activity of digestive enzymes. [9]
Also, Myricetin has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties. A study showed that myricetin could help to lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in rats. [10]
Liver Protection and Treatment in Alcohol Disorders
A research study in 1999 indicated that it reduces alcohol in mice’s blood. This indicates that H. dulcis may facilitate rapid and efficient alcohol metabolism, reducing intoxication and the subsequent hangover. It also showed that Dihydromyricetin could help to prevent the development of a fatty liver. [11]
Myricetin also has hepatoprotective properties by reducing DNA damage in the liver. [12] However, Dihydromyricetin is more effective at reducing alcohol cravings than Myricetin. It has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings in animal studies, while Myricetin cannot help reduce alcohol cravings.
Anti-Cancer
Myricetin can also help protect against cancer by inhibiting tumor-promoting cell transformation. Dihydromyricetin can sensitize cancer cells, which can inhibit cell proliferation. [13]
Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin Side Effects
Interestingly, DHM has been reported to have few negative effects, according to published study articles. Mice and rats are used for the majority of these experiments.
Among these studies is one in which rats were given an extremely lethal dose of DHM for 14 days and showed no signs of toxicity. The liver seems to work better after taking DHM.
Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin Dosage
The typical clinical dosage range for Hovenia for hangovers is 100-650 mg/kg. Few clinical trials have been conducted on human volunteers. Hence there are standard dose guidelines available.
According to a study, the use of Dihydromyricetin for hangovers is effective at 1mg/kg via IP injection. At this dose, it can counteract acute alcohol intoxication. [14]
Taking Myricetin at 100mg/kg dosages twice daily for six months is generally considered safe in providing anti-oxidant effects. Also, taking it at 200mg/kg daily for 40 days is effective in helping improve diabetes. At 400mg/ kg, myricetin may help in weight reduction. [15]
Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin Supplement
If you are looking for a supplement to take for its antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, then Myricetin would be the better choice.
Dihydromyricetin is often used as a hangover cure and to protect the liver. So if you are looking for a supplement to help with these specific issues, then Dihydromyricetin would be the better choice.
It is important to note that the FDA has not approved Dihydromyricetin for any use. So if you are considering taking this supplement, you should speak with your doctor first.
Bottomline: Dihydromyricetin vs. Myricetin
Both of these supplements have their own unique benefits that can improve your overall well-being. However, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and what you hope to get from these supplements.
Although both supplements are generally safe, it is always best to speak with a doctor before taking any new supplements, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
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- Dan Liu, Yigin Mao, Lijun Ding, Xin-An Zeng. Dihydromyricetin: A review on identification and quantification methods, biological activities, chemical stability, metabolism and approaches to enhance its bioavailability. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2019 Sep; 91: 586-597. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2019.07.038. PMCID: PMC7127391. PMID: 32288229.
- Ross JA, Kasum CM. Dietary Flavonoids: Bioavailability, Metabolic Effects, and Safety. Annual Review of Nutrition. July 2002. 22: 19–34. doi:10.1146/annurev.nutr.22.111401.144957. PMID 12055336.
- Joshua Silva, Xin Yu, Renita Moradian, Carson Folk, Maximilian H Spatz, Phoebe Kim, Adil A Bhatti, Daryl L Davies, Jing Liang. Dihydromyricetin Protects the Liver via Changes in Lipid Metabolism and Enhanced Ethanol Metabolism. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2020 May;44(5):1046-1060. doi: 10.1111/acer.14326. PMID: 32267550 PMCID: PMC7211127.
- Andrea Roedig-Penman, Michael H Gordon. Antioxidant properties of myricetin and quercetin in oil and emulsions. February 1998Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society 75(2):169-180. DOI:10.1007/s11746-998-0029-4.
- Huixiang Ge, Shu Guan, Yulin Shen, Mengyun Sun, Yuanzhen Hao, Lingkun He, Lijuan Liu, Cancan Yin, Ruoyu Huang, Wei Xiong, Yun Gaocorresponding. Dihydromyricetin affects BDNF levels in the nervous system in rats with comorbid diabetic neuropathic pain and depression. Sci Rep. 2019; 9: 14619. 2019 Oct 10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51124-w. PMCID: PMC6787069. PMID: 31601968.
- Miaomiao Liu,Hong Guo, Zhongyuan Li, Chenghua Zhang, Xiaoping Zhang, Qinghua Cui, Jingzhen Tian. Molecular Level Insight Into the Benefit of Myricetin and Dihydromyricetin Uptake in Patients With Alzheimer’s Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020; 12: 601603. Published online 2020 Oct 23. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.601603. PMCID: PMC7645199PMID: 33192493.
- Dr Jing Liang. January 29, 2021. Dihydromyricetin shows promise as anxiety disorder treatment, from https://researchoutreach.org/articles/dihydromyricetin-shows-promise-anxiety-disorder-treatment/.
- Hongyan Ling, Zemei Zhu, Jihua Yang, Jianqin He, Sisi Yang, Di Wu, Shuidong Feng, Duanfang Liao. Dihydromyricetin improves type 2 diabetes-induced cognitive impairment via suppressing oxidative stress and enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated neuroprotection in mice. Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica, Volume 50, Issue 3, March 2018, Pages 298–306, https://doi.org/10.1093/abbs/gmy003.
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- Lu Guo, Haifeng Zhang, Xiuping Yan. Protective effect of dihydromyricetin revents fatty liver through nuclear factor-κB/p53/B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein signaling pathways in a rat model. Mol Med Rep. 2019 Mar; 19(3): 1638–1644. Published online 2018 Dec 20. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9783. PMCID: PMC6390035, PMID: 30592279.
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- Yingqi Xu, Shengpeng Wang, Hon Fai Chan, Huaiwu Lu, Zhongqiu Lin, Chengwei He, Meiwan Chena. Dihydromyricetin Induces Apoptosis and Reverses Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells by p53-mediated Downregulation of Survivin. Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 46060. doi: 10.1038/srep46060. PMCID: PMC5402300. PMID: 28436480.
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