You’ve probably heard that purple foods—from blueberries to purple versions of foods such as potatoes—are particularly good for your health, and you may have wondered what’s behind this effect. In fact, it literally is the purple color itself that’s good for you—the pigments that give foods their purple color are a family of potent antioxidants known as anthocyanins.
Studies have linked anthocyanins to lowered risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease. They also appear to help control—and possibly prevent—obesity and diabetes, in part by inhibiting certain digestive enzymes and helping control levels of blood sugar. They are potent anti-inflammatories, and are therefore also likely to reduce the risk of most chronic diseases.
