Health Benefits of Eating Purple Foods

Fruits and vegetables contain concentrated sources of a huge variety of phytonutrients. So putting colour on your plate and especially purple foods, may help prevent disease and promote healing.

Many phytonutrients also produce the natural intense pigments of colorful fruits and vegetables.

For example, the purple in plums or glossy skinned eggplant and deep blue in blueberries. They are also responsible for the smell and flavours of foods.

Concord Grapes

Concord grapes have thick deep purple skin and crunchy seeds that are rich in anthocyanins. They also contain manganese, vitamin K, potassium, certain B vitamins and vitamin C.

Eggplant

Eggplant is a low-calorie treat that has over a dozen kinds of antioxidants,

Plums

This juicy snack is a great source of vitamins A and C that support your immune system. Dried plums, or prunes, are full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. I’ve read so many scientific research reports on this topic and learned so much about how healing some of our everyday foods can be. Here, I just want to summarise a few of the reasons to eat (and grow) more purple foods.

Protection Against Cell Damage They are antioxidants which help protect against oxidation and damage to the cells.

Studies indicate anthocyanins may help protect against the risk of cadiovascular disease and stroke by stopping clots from forming. They also may prevent some cancers and diabetes, as well as improve memory.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Cancer properties

Purple foods also contain Flavonoids including Resveratrol with anti inflammatory properties. This compound may also help combat many diseases, decrease blood pressure and promote healing.

Numerous studies have shown Resveratrol has anti-cancer effects by helping inhibit growth of cancer cells and directly causing cell death.

Leave the skin on your vegetables and fruit where possible. This increases the fibre and nutrient value. Remember, some phytonutrients are heat sensitive and water soluble. So, to maximise their health benefits, try roasting and lightly steaming. This helps retain the purple colour when cookingvegetables with soluble pigments. Yours in the garden Farm2Markt.