This One Color That’s Not On Your Plate Might Boost Your Health In Remarkable Ways
by The Candidly Team
We’ve long been told a rainbow-colored diet of fruits and veg should be our goal. It’s why 72% of our lives are seemingly spent furiously chopping.
But there’s one color that may not leap to mind or make it onto our plate as consistently as the others. And that color might hold some pretty special powers pertaining to our health.
We won’t make you scroll. We know you have chopping to do.
The color is PURPLE.
The science-y reason is that naturally purple foods contain something called anthocyanins, a pigment that’s responsible for plants’ reddish-blue hue. Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties and are gaining lots of attention for potentially packing some impressive health rewards.
While research has yet to label anthocyanins an “essential” nutrient or to offer it the buzzwordy title of “superfood,” most agree it’s a valuable addition to your diet. Plus, you’ll notice that the list of purple foods we’re talking about here are already brimming with proven nutrients, so there’s really no downside.
That said, the studies that do exist about purple foods are still pretty exciting, linking them to things like “antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-obesity effects as well as prevention of cardiovascular diseases.”
Here are some of the benefits being discussed:
1. They may help protect against diabetes.
One of the most recent findings came from the University of Turku in Finland where they found that these bluish-red pigments “can reduce the risk of diabetes by acting on energy metabolism, gut microbiota, and inflammation.” The study points to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of purple foods (particularly mentioning purple potatoes), as well as their positive effects on gut health.
2. They may help with memory loss and brain health.
There’s some seriously fascinating research being done on anthocyanin-containing foods and their effects on neurological health. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston say they were able to reverse memory loss in older rats after feeding them blueberry extract. Clinical trials on actual humans in Australia further reported that adults with Alzheimer’s disease who were given a certain cherry juice daily showed significantly improved memory scores.
3. They may benefit heart health.
A diet that includes anthocyanin-rich foods has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. And as far as blood pressure goes, some studies have even shown “significant” lowering activity when people consume certain berries, though others have shown mixed results. So, while it may not be something we can completely generalize quite yet where blood pressure is concerned, the “anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects” in purple foods suggest they may be helpful in reducing heart disease risks.
4. They may help slow cancer growth.
While more studies need to be done, anthocyanins are being explored as possibly helping to inhibit the growth of tumors. And once again, many of the violet-hued foods being mentioned on this list have long been lauded for other cancer-fighting possibilities, so eating more of them could well be a win either way.
So what are some purple foods you can immediately start adding to your plate?
If you’re racking your brain and only coming up with a handful of plum-colored, non-plum foods, here’s a more comprehensive list to help round out your rainbow:
Purple grapes
Blackcurrants
Organic blueberries
Pomegranate
Purple sweet potato
Figs
Plums
Acai berries
Beetroot
Purple corn
Purple potato
Purple sweet potato
Purple carrot
Eggplant
Radishes
Cherries
Strawberries
Red onions
Purple cauliflower
Purple corn
And if you’re more inspired by actual recipes than a straight-up grocery list, we get it. The below ideas can amp up the anthocyanins in your diet, not to mention make you seem pretty chefy when you serve dishes in such a chic palette.
Make THIS herbaceous purple potato, eggplant, and red onion hash.
Whip up THIS chocolate cherry smoothie, which is apparently adored by our glowiest health guru, Jennifer Aniston. Just be sure to add extra red and blue berries to the mix.
No recipe required. Just roast a purple cauliflower in salt, pepper, and turmeric. Drizzle it in fresh lemon juice and Greek yoghurt and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Trust us when we say, you’ll feel like your dining in a tavern on the coast of the Mediterranean.
Make a fancy (or extremely unfancy) baked potato bar, but swap your plain, old russet for a big, juicy purple sweet potato
You know all those salads you already make and love? Well shred some red cabbage into every single one of them and delight in the added crunch. We’ve already established that red cabbage could extend your life. So don’t ghost it in the produce aisle.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind. Read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
