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The Amazing Benefits of Purple Fruits and Vegetables: PURPLE POWER

Jan 28, 2019 ● By Peggy Malecki

There is an abundance of colorful fruits and vegetables. The purpose of each shade is a result of the plant colorant, which initiates the nutritional worth of and healthy benefit of each plant. There is an old saying: “The darker the berry, the sweeter the cherry.” This statement is true, because the darker-colored fruits and vegetables have an enormous amount of vitamins, minerals and nutritional value.

        The darker fruits and vegetables will cause the body to produce antioxidant anthocyanins, which are resistant to cancer. The bountiful colorants in the plants such as red, blue and purple are what have given significant evidence to prove that there is a hindrance in colon cancer production, as well as many other cancers. According to a 2011 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, anthocyanins can safeguard the body against, strokes, heart disease, inflammation, blood pressure and excess fat.

        They can also improve bladder health, possibly putting a stop to urinary tract infections, because they have been known to ward off bacterial diseases from attaching to the urinary tract. This huge complement of antioxidants can assist the body with anti-aging by preventing free radical damage and helping to heal skin ruined from sunburn.

        There is an extensive number of anthocyanin-rich extracts in chokeberries, elderberries, acai berries, bilberries, gooseberries, cranberries, blueberries, grapes, eggplant, radishes, cherries, pomegranates, prunes, figs, passion fruit, raisins, red onions, beets and purple grapes. Research from the American Chemical Society has proven that chokeberries and bilberries have the largest quantity of antioxidants. If the pigment color of the plant is very dark, this will indicate an abundance of antioxidants in the food which increase vitamin C levels, in turn boosting the immune system and improving blood circulation. Also, according to research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, bilberries have been known to fight off HL60 leukemia cells.

        Concord grapes, prunes, red plums and black currants also help regulate blood pressure because of the presence of flavonoids. We can get the same positive effect from eating purple sweet potatoes, purple corn, purple carrots, purple cauliflower and asparagus, all of which are high in anthocyanins.

 

Cynthia Hawkins is a registered natural health practitioner. For more information or to make an appointment, call 708-728-5286.