Introduction
Flavonoids are the class of compounds with unique properties and antioxidant effects. Anthocyanins belong to flavonoids. They are pigments that give different colors to plants like red, purple, blue, etc. With antioxidant effects, anthocyanins also give anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti cancer effects. It is the reason they are used in different medicines and herbal remedies.
Properties
Anthocyanins are the natural pigments originated from vacuoles of certain plants and later found effective in improving human health. Apparent characteristics of Anthocyanin pigments are given below:
- These are soluble in water
- Anthocyanins are responsible for giving color to the berries, grapes, currants, or other fruit or vegetables
- Their color depends on their pH
- Sometimes anthocyanins are blue, they may be purple, violet, or red according to the pH
- They are widely used in food colors and additives.
Health Benefits of Anthocyanin:
In recent years, a lot of scientists have worked on different plants and the chemicals present in the plants to make better use of them. It is found that different pigments present in the fruit and vegetable plants also possess several beneficial properties other than those possessed by the actual fruit or vegetable. Anthocyanin is a good example of such beneficial pigments. It is effective for several conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, colds, urinary tract infections, heart disease, etc. There isenough evidencewhich proves the effectiveness of Anthocyanins in the treatment of heart disease and cancer.
Let’s discuss some more detailed information about the positive health impacts of anthocyanins for human beings. Here is the list of major medicinal properties of anthocyanins:
1. Anti Diabetic:
Anthocyanin has proved effective in reducing blood sugar levels thus it acts as an anti-diabetic and can be used in the drugs for the treatment of diabetes.
2. Anti Inflammatory:
This pigment also shows anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties due to which, it is added to various medicines for reducing inflammation.
3. Prevention of Different Disorders:
The drugs which are synthesized from anthocyanins help prevent cardiovascular disorders, preventing obesity, and consequently preventing many other diseases related to obesity.
Hence, anthocyanins are chemicals of great pharmaceutical importance. Many properties of anthocyanins are still hidden and researchers are working in collaboration with pharmacists to find the hidden health treasure of Anthocyanins.
Anthocyanin Products:
Several products are also available online. You can find more detailed information here and high-quality anthocyanin containing Elderberry and Aronia Berry products.
