Anthocyanins
Synopsis
Anthocyanins are a class of water-soluble flavonoid pigments responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors found in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They are especially abundant in foods like blueberries, blackberries, cherries, purple cabbage, grapes, red onions, elderberries, and acai berries. Structurally, anthocyanins are glycosides—compounds consisting of an anthocyanidin core bound to sugar molecules—which affect their stability, color, and absorption in the body.
Anthocyanins are widely recognized for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They help neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and protect cells from DNA damage. These effects support a wide range of health benefits, including cardiovascular protection, cognitive function, vision support, blood sugar regulation, and anti-aging effects. In particular, they have been shown to improve endothelial function, lower blood pressure, inhibit LDL oxidation, and enhance insulin sensitivity.
Because they can cross the blood-brain barrier, anthocyanins may also help protect brain cells, improve memory, and slow cognitive decline. They support eye health by stabilizing retinal capillaries and enhancing night vision. Emerging research also suggests they may support gut health by modulating the gut microbiota and reducing inflammation in the intestinal lining.
Anthocyanins are available as whole-food concentrates, extracts, or standardized supplements, often used in formulations targeting heart health, brain health, immune function, and vascular integrity.
Historical Use:
While anthocyanins were only identified and studied as individual compounds in the 20th century, their sources—deeply pigmented fruits and vegetables—have been revered in traditional medicine for centuries. Ancient systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used anthocyanin-rich plants for their cooling, detoxifying, blood-nourishing, and inflammation-calming effects.
In Ayurveda, dark fruits like jamun (Indian blackberry) and grapes were used to treat diabetes, digestive disorders, and skin diseases, while also acting as tonics for the heart and liver. In TCM, berries like mulberry, goji, and hawthorn were employed to invigorate the blood, nourish Yin, and protect the eyes and liver—all applications that align with anthocyanins' known biological actions.
In European folk medicine, elderberries, bilberries, and black currants were long used to treat colds, fevers, sore throats, and eye problems. Bilberry, in particular, gained fame during World War II when British pilots reportedly consumed it to improve night vision, an effect later linked to anthocyanin content.
Today, anthocyanins remain a key example of how traditional color-based food wisdom—such as "eat the rainbow"—is being confirmed through modern science. They are among the most researched and promising phytonutrients for chronic disease prevention, vascular health, and aging support, offering a powerful link between colorful foods and cellular resilience.
Uses: Health Conditions
Age Spots (Traditional)
Aging (prevention) (Traditional)
Cartilage Damage (Traditional)
Cataracts (Traditional)
Celiac Disease (Traditional)
Cellulite (Traditional)
Cervical Dysplasia (Traditional)
Chemical Poisoning (Traditional)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Traditional)
Chest Pain (Traditional)
Chicken Pox (Traditional)
Chills (Traditional)
Cholera (Traditional)
Cholesterol (high) (Traditional)
Cholesterol (low) (Traditional)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Traditional)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Circulation (to the brain) (Traditional)
Cirrhosis of the Liver (Traditional)
Cold Hands and Feet (Traditional)
Cold Sores (Traditional)
Colds (antiviral) (Traditional)
Colds (decongestant) (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colic (adults) (Traditional)
Colic (children) (Traditional)
Colitis (Traditional)
Colon (atonic) (Traditional)
Colon (spastic) (Traditional)
Concentration (poor) (Traditional)
Concussions (Traditional)
Confusion (Traditional)
Congestion (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (lymphatic) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Congestive Heart Failure (Traditional)
Conjunctivitis (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Contagious Diseases (Traditional)
Convalescence (Traditional)
Convulsions (Traditional)
Coordination (Traditional)
Copper Toxicity (Traditional)
Corns (Traditional)
Cough (damp) (Traditional)
Cough (dry) (Traditional)
Cough (general) (Traditional)
Cough (spastic) (Traditional)
Cradle Cap (Traditional)
Cramps (leg) (Traditional)
Cramps (menstrual) (Traditional)
Cramps and Spasms (Traditional)
Crohn's Disease (Traditional)
Croup (Traditional)
Cushing's Disease (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Cystic Breast Disease (Traditional)
Cystic Fibrosis (Traditional)
Cysts (Traditional)
Cytomealovirus (Traditional)
Dandruff (Traditional)
Deafness (Traditional)
Debility (Traditional)
Defensiveness (Traditional)
Dehydration (Traditional)
Dementia (Traditional)
Denture Sores (Traditional)
Depression (Traditional)
Dermatitis (Traditional)
Diabetes (Traditional)
Diabetic Retinopathy (Traditional)
Diaper Rash (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Diphtheria (Traditional)
Dislocation (Traditional)
Diverticulitis (Traditional)
Dizziness (Traditional)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Traditional)
Body Systems
Arteries (Traditional)
Brain (Science)
Circulatory System (Science)
Eyes (Science)
Immune System (Science)