What Is Anthocyanin?

Anthocyanins are a group of active ingredients found in red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables. They belong to the flavonoid family — the same family as the antioxidants found in wine, tea, and dark chocolate.

Flavonoids are part of a larger group of antioxidants known as polyphenols, which are believed to help prevent or treat health conditions connected to inflammation and oxidative stress. Foods containing anthocyanins have been used in natural remedies for generations. Studies increasingly support their purported health benefits.

Anthocyanins extracted from plants are also commonly used as dyes, natural food colorants, and food additives. For instance, the commercial additive E163 is most commonly derived from grape skin and used to add a purple color to jam, candies, and beverages.

Primary Sources: Fruits and Herbs/Plants
Anthocyanins are found in a wide variety of natural sources. Here are some of the most common ones:
Fruits (Rich Sources):
Berries: Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, elderberries, acai berries, bilberries.
Other Fruits: Cherries (especially tart cherries), black currants, purple grapes, plums, pomegranates, blood oranges.
Tropical Fruits: Mangosteen, purple-fleshed sweet potatoes.

Herbs, Vegetables, and Other Plants:
Vegetables: Red cabbage, eggplant (aubergine), purple corn, black rice, red onions.
Flowers: Hibiscus, rose petals, cornflower, violet.

Other: Butterfly Pea Flower (a very rich source, often used for its brilliant blue color), purple tea leaves.

Health Benefits of Anthocyanins?

1. Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties, meaning that they fight damaging compounds called free radicals.

2. When free radicals accumulate in your body, they cause oxidative stress. In turn, this oxidative stress leads to inflammation and may increase your risk of chronic ailments, such as cancer and heart disease

3. Antioxidants like anthocyanins thus help reduce oxidative stress and disease risk.

4. Anthocyanins are also believed to help reduce inflammation.

5. Regularly eating foods that are rich in anthocyanins may safeguard against type 2 diabetes.

6. Anthocyanins are classified as flavonoids, a group of antioxidants believed to have strong cancer-fighting abilities.

7. A diet rich in anthocyanins may boost heart health in several ways.

8. Anthocyanins may also benefit your brain.
 

Now that we know that there are many health benefits in anthocyanins. As a professional herbal extract manufacturer and supplier in China for several years, we have been dedicated to the herbal extract products especially for the herb extract with active ingredient anthocyanins. If you have any demand or purchase plan for the anthocyanins series products, please kindly get back to us or visit our company website for more information.