Flavonoids are widely distributed secondary metabolites and currently consumed in large amounts in the daily diet. In this article, some of the most recent developments in flavonoid – and related polyphenolic compounds – pharmacology are discussed, with particular emphasis on very recent data, most of which are published in Phytotherapy Research, which highlight new aspects in flavonoid anti‐inflammatory, antilipidemic, antihyperglycemic, antiviral, hepatoprotective, gastric antiulcer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antioxidant and anticancer actions. These updated data confirm the well‐established diverse beneficial pharmacological actions and might support the perspective for a therapeutic use. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.