What is the Difference Between Rutin & Quercetin?

"Rutin and Quercetin are very similar compounds, both in terms of their chemical structure and their beneficial effects in humans. In nature, Rutin and Quercetin are almost always found together, in similar amounts. Although you may have heard either of Quercetin or of Rutin, and you might be unaware that they’re actually almost exactly the same compound. The key difference is in the chemical structure – Rutin has an added sugar group. Another difference is that Quercetin has been studied more extensively than Rutin. However, the two compounds have very similar effects in humans.  

Rutin vs. Quercetin: Differences in Chemical Structure and Metabolism.

Chemically, the difference between the two is an added rutinose sugar group on the Rutin compound.[1] This means that Rutin needs to be digested in the stomach before its effects can kick in. This means that Rutin has a different absorption profile to Quercetin – it takes a little longer for the effects to be felt, and the effects last a little longer. After taking a Rutin supplement, bacteria in the intestines break the bond between the rutinose sugar and the Quercetin compound, releasing ‘pure’ Quercetin. This process does not occur for Quercetin.[2] Although this has not been studied in humans yet, it is conceivable that the rutinose sugar released by Rutin benefits gut bacteria but supplying them with an energy source (bacteria typically use large amounts of sugar as their energy source).  

Rutin and Gut Bacteria

Several studies have found that Rutin is metabolized by bacteria in the gut. In one animal study, rats were fed a diet with a Rutin concentration of 0.4%. Another group of rats was fed the same diet, with an additional probiotic supplement. The results showed that the group that received the probiotic supplement had significantly improved antioxidant outcomes.[3] This solidifies the evidence that Rutin is metabolized by gut bacteria, and this is also why we suggest taking probiotic supplements along with Rutin. However, the same has not been found for Quercetin, which does not appear to be metabolized by gut bacteria.

Differences in Effects:

Quercetin has been used far more extensively in scientific research than Rutin. As a result, there is a wider range of known benefits to Quercetin. For example, Quercetin has been studied for its benefits in stress-release, improvements in physical energy, pain relief, and for promoting healthy skin. Since Rutin hasn’t been studied as much as Quercetin, there is not as much evidence for these benefits. However, since the compounds are identical (once Rutin has been digested by gut bacteria), it is very likely that similar experiments for Rutin would yield the same results.  

Summary of Rutin vs. Quercetin

Rutin	Quercetin
Found in most fruits and vegetables, especially in buckwheat [4]	Found in most fruits and vegetables [5]
Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [6] [7] [8]	Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [9] [10] [11]
Supports a healthy immune system	Supports a healthy immune system
Additional Rutinose sugar group	-
Metabolized by gut bacteria [12]	Absorbed directly [13]
May help with pain relief	May help with pain relief [14]
Not studied.	Promotes healthy skin [15]
Not studied.	Reduces stress and promotes relaxation [16]
Not studied.	Boosts physical energy levels and exercise performance [17]
-	Reduces carcinogenesis in rats [18]
Slightly longer duration of effects[19]	-

 

Our Recommendation:

We recommend taking Rutin and Quercetin together to optimize their benefits. Since they have slightly different absorption profiles, taking the two together gives you a ‘full spectrum’ of antioxidant and health-promoting effects, over a longer period of time. Also, in their natural sources – fruits and vegetables – these two powerful antioxidants are found in similar quantities. It is possible that there are benefits to using the two phytochemicals together, which have not yet been elucidated by scientific studies. Although it has not been studied yet, it is conceivable that the compounds might interact together in the body to produce an improved spectrum of effects.