Anthocyanins and human health

Do you know why fruits, vegetables, and flowers are so colorful? Anthocyanins. 

Anthocyanins are water soluble plant pigments responsible for the brilliant blue, purple, and red color of many plant tissues. They belong to a parent class of molecules called flavonoids. There are more than 600 anthocyanins found in nature. They account for the vivid blue, purple and red colors of many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Because of their brilliant colors, they are believed to be important to plants in that their color attracts birds and other animals, leading to seed dispersal and pollination. Because anthocyanins strongly absorb light, they may also be important in protecting plants from UV irradiation. Because of the concerns about using synthetic dyes, anthocyanins are increasingly being used as food colorants, primarily in the beverage industry.

Numerous research results have shown that consumption of anthocyanins, regardless of the origin, provide health benefits in humans. Specific benefits from anthocyanin consumption have been shown relative to increasing anti-oxidant activity and decreasing oxidative stress, preventing obesity and hyperglycemia, improving brain function, protection against cardiovascular disease, improving eye function, and preventing cancer. Many of the health benefits, however, have been linked to the improved anti-oxidant status anthocyanins provide after the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Berries are particularly rich sources of anthocyanins. Strawberries, blueberry and black raspberry are berries that provide a unique pattern of anthocyanins that are beneficial for health. Cherries are also high in anthocyanin contents. Other foods that have high anthocyanins include egg plant peel, black rice, black currant, red raspberry, concord and muscadine grapes, and red cabbage, among others. If you see any food that is naturally and intensely colorful, think about a higher concentration of anthoyanins in it and think about having beneficial effect to your health in general when it comes to fruits and vegetable consumption.