Food Trends 2017: Purple Foods and Their Unexpected Benefits

Experts say purple foods have many benefits, from weight loss to cancer prevention.

According to the 2017 food trend prediction of Whole Foods, the exclusive supermarket brand of safe food in the US, you should eat purple food to protect your health.

Common purple foods include purple cauliflower, brown rice, purple asparagus, purple berries, purple sweet potatoes, purple cabbage, and some cereals.

“The purple colour of foods comes from anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant,” says nutritionist Abbey Sharp.

Below are the health benefits of purple foods.

Cancer Prevention

A 2010 study from the University of Porto (Portugal) found that Anthocyanin in blueberries helps prevent the growth of breast cancer cells.

Another 2014 study by Chengdu Medical College (China) found Anthocyanin in black rice, has similar effects.

Berries keep skin smooth and bright and slow down the aging process.

Scientists at NC State University (USA) said that the properties found in blueberries can also prevent the formation of prostate cancer tumors.

To prevent colon cancer, research at Ohio State University (USA) shows that purple corn is the most effective food.

Anti-aging

Antioxidants help prevent aging. Frequent exposure to UVA and UVB rays has a negative impact on the skin, reducing collagen levels, causing the skin to lose its firmness and form wrinkles.

However, a 2009 study showed that anthocyanins in blueberries help reverse the negative effects of UV rays on the skin, slowing down the aging process over time.

Prevent obesity

Japanese researchers published a study in 2008 that found that mice gained weight when their anthocyanin intake was reduced. A 2015 study found that obese mice that ate purple potatoes lost more weight than those that did not.

This is because purple sweet potatoes are rich in anthocyanins, which help control weight. This helps improve heart health, fight cancer, and provide the body with lots of energy.

Unlike regular sweet potatoes, purple potatoes contain important antioxidants called Anthocyanins.

Helps brain healthy

A 16-year study found that anthocyanins can improve brain aging. The results of the study, conducted on 16,000 people, were published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Researchers followed each person twice a year, checking their eating habits. The results showed that people who ate more anthocyanin-rich berries performed better on cognitive tests.

Good for heart health

Anthocyanins found in purple foods can protect the heart muscle and capillaries from oxidative damage. They also help rejuvenate the cardiovascular system and repair damaged tissues.

An 18-year study published in 2013 found a 32% reduction in the risk of heart attack in women who ate more purple foods.

According to Zing.vn