(26-11-09) Purple Foods Promote b>Health and Anti-Aging

by Melanie Grimes


Purple fruits and vegetables, including acai and blueberries, contain important nutrients that have shown many health benefits including anti-aging. These purple antioxidants, called anthocyanins, have been shown to protect the heart and vision, promote mental focus, and prevent oxidative stress. Resveratrol is another fat-soluble compound found in some purple foods, such as grapes, red wine, purple grape juice, peanuts, and some berries. Research has indicated that purple foods may provide a cure for cancer. Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in animals. It has also increased longevity in animals, such as worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice, but it is not known if this same effect will transfer to humans. Purple fruits and vegetables come in a variety of flavors. The list of purple foods includes eggplant, purple carrots, purple cabbage, beets, blueberries, blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, black currants, plums, elderberries, bilberries, figs, raisins, and pomegranates. The well-advertised acai berries, and Goji berries are also members of the purple family of foods. The acai berry grows on a palm tree in Central and South America. Also known as Euterpe oleracea, it is related to both blueberries and cranberries. Blueberries contain a large amount of antioxidants. Research has shown that eating blueberries can help you lose weight by reducing food cravings. In the study, those who consumed an extract of blueberries reduced their food intake by eight percent. Blueberries have also been shown to reduce cholesterol. Along with cranberries, blueberries help to prevent urinary tract infections because of a nutrient they contain called proanthocyanidin, which lines the urinary tract and prevents bacteria from sticking. Tests have also shown that blueberry consumption slows age-related memory loss. Purple cabbage contains 36 different types of antioxidants, including the health-giving anthocyanins. There is evidence to suggest that purple cabbage helps build a healthy brain and a healthy heart and acts as a fat burner. Figs have been used since ancient times as a sweetener. Shown in paintings on Greek vases, this purple food is also full of nutrients, including calcium, magnesium and fiber. The Japanese use figs to reduce high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Purple foods have been shown to defend the body against stress and to promote healing. Future research will be needed to discover the full potential of these healing foods.

Sources: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocent... http://www.blueberry.org/health.htm http://www.blueberry.org/health/blu... http://www.webmd.com/diet/acai-berr...

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