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Anthocyanins are a flavonoid phytopigment that is responsible for the red, purple and blue colors in fruits and flowers.
They play an important role in pollination and seed dispersal because the vivid colors attract insects and birds.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble and non-toxic.
Health benefits
Anthocyanins improve vascular health and reduce the risk of heart attacks.(1)
Anti-angiogenic properties reduce unwanted growth of blood vessels, which can lead to varicose veins and tumor formation.(2)
Anthocyanins delay cancer development, especially in the colorectal tract.(3)
Anthocyanins improve vision and eye health.(4)
Properties of anthocyanins
Anti-angiogenic
Anti-cancer/chemoprotective
Anti-edema
Cardioprotective
Herbs containing anthocyanins
Acai berry (Euterpe oleracea)
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Service berry/Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa)
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(1) Cassidy A, Mukamal KJ, Liu L, Franz M, Eliassen AH, Rimm EB. High anthocyanin intake is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction in young and middle-aged women. Circulation. 2013;127(2):188-196. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.122408
(2) Bagchi D, Sen CK, Bagchi M, Atalay M. Anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties of a novel anthocyanin-rich berry extract formula. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2004;69(1):75. doi:10.1023/b:biry.0000016355.19999.93
(3) Thomasset S, Teller N, Cai H, et al. Do anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, cancer chemopreventive pigments in the diet, merit development as potential drugs?. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2009;64(1):201-211. doi:10.1007/s00280-009-0976-y
(4) Nomi Y, Iwasaki-Kurashige K, Matsumoto H. Therapeutic Effects of Anthocyanins for Vision and Eye Health. Molecules. 2019;24(18):3311. Published 2019 Sep 11. doi:10.3390/molecules24183311
Sincerely,
Emilee Wright
-Siddhartha-
A Mercurial Consciousness