These pigments are found in red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables.
Among their health benefits:
· reducing inflammation,
· antioxidant
· protecting against cancer,
· protecting against heart disease,
· protecting against type 2 diabetes (and its effects),
· improving glucose tolerance,
· immune support,
· improved cellular function.
Interesting to note: Although many people think of the main function of anthocyanins as being antioxidants, recent studies are finding they have important prebiotic-like roles in modulation of the intestinal microbiota.
For example, a study conducted on purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPAs) found that peonidin-based anthocyanins, which are present in PSPAs, could induce the proliferation of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, while inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium.
#bioactives #medicinalplants #anthocyanins #phytochemicals #ethnobotany #eattherainbow #blueberries #prebiotic