The Many Health and Wellness Benefits of Anthocyanins
Most of us were raised to view food as fuel, a source of energy. While we understand that it’s important to include a variety of natural, nutrient-rich foods in our diets to support essential functions, many of us still underestimate the therapeutic potential of our dietary choices, but we are learning.
As medical technology advances, so does our understanding of the impact of certain nutrients and phytochemicals on our bodies. As research progresses, it’s quite apparent that a single plant element can have a profound effect on numerous processes.
One particular class of plant compounds generating a significant amount of attention are anthocyanins. Plant anthocyanins are the water-soluble pigments that give red, blue, and purple plants their rich, vibrant colors. Anthocyanin-rich foods are shown to have significant health and wellness benefits.
The Significance of Anthocyanins in Your Diet
There are four potential sources of plant pigmentation that add color to our diets, chlorophyll, carotenoids, betalains, and flavonoids. These essential nutrients also contribute to the plant’s unique flavor and aroma.
Flavonoids give plants their red and blue tones. While there are many types of flavonoids, anthocyanins are considered one of the most potent. Anthocyanins fight free-radical damage, support the functions of your immune system, and protect your vision. The darker the color, the more anthocyanins found in the plant.
The Many Potential Health Benefits of Anthocyanins
In herbal medicine, substances high in anthocyanins have been used throughout the ages to treat numerous health conditions, including urinary tract infections and high blood pressure. Today, research confirms what our ancestors learned through observation, that anthocyanins have antimicrobial properties, antioxidative benefits, and can protect your body from disease. Consider just a few of the many health and wellness benefits.
Protection from Cardiovascular Disease
Due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress, anthocyanins are shown to protect you from cardiovascular disease by reducing inflammation and enhancing capillary strength. In vitro, anthocyanins are shown to have an antithrombotic effect, meaning they could prevent or reduce the risk of developing a potentially life-threatening blood clot. Research suggests that those with the highest anthocyanin consumption reduced their risk of coronary disease by nine percent, with an eight percent lower risk of death due to heart disease compared to those who consumed the fewest.
For Cardiovascular health, consider the benefits of Vision Smart Center Super EPA +DHA+GLA®, a unique blend of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids synergistically enhanced with 1500 mg of blackcurrant anthocyanins. This combination supports the prevention of heart attack, ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and stroke.
Protection from Cancer
Anthocyanins can protect your body from cancer at various stages of the disease. In laboratory tests, anthocyanins inhibit tumor formation and reduce cancer cell proliferation. The anti-oxidant effects of anthocyanins stimulate the production of detoxification enzymes and inhibited mutations commonly caused by environmental toxins and carcinogens. Preliminary investigations show that anthocyanins selectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells without negatively affecting healthy cells.
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Immune System Support
Anthocyanins are shown to increase the production of cytokines, a group of proteins, glycoproteins, and peptides that assist in the communication between the cells of your immune system. Cytokines also direct the cells of your immune system towards injuries, infections, and inflammation. Anthocyanins are shown to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties with evidence suggesting anthocyanins decrease the ability of influenza to invade human cells. There is enough evidence showing their effect on the influenza virus to indicate further studies could prove valuable in the fight against the illness.
For the nutrients your body needs for optimal health and immune system function, consider a delicious black currant beverage. Vision Smart Center Delicious Eye Sparkle Blackcurrant Drink® has four times the vitamin C as oranges and twice the antioxidant potential as blueberries.
Reducing Fat Accumulation and Obesity Risk
Obesity was once considered a simple matter of excess energy (fat) storage, taking in more calories than expended. Today, research shows that chronic, low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue is a significant contributing factor to weight gain and fat accumulation. In animal studies, anthocyanins suppressed weight gain and improved lipid profiles in obese rats. Anthocyanins also improved blood lipid profiles in laboratory animals fed a high-fat diet.
Researchers concluded that these actions are the result of the flavonoids anti-inflammatory properties and the mediation of metabolic functions. In a double-blind clinical study, test subject receiving anthocyanins showed a reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL levels, and abdominal fat accumulation compared to the control group receiving a placebo. Obesity increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
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Protecting and Enhancing Brain Function
Many people are concerned about age-related cognitive decline. Free-radicals and oxidative stress play a significant role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Free radicals can cause inflammation, tissue damage, and cellular death.
With increasing evidence of their therapeutic potential, researchers are looking to develop anthocyanins-based treatments as an alternative to conventional medications for neurodegenerative disorders.
Anthocyanins are also shown to improve memory and protect the brain from toxins. Adults are not the only beneficiaries. In a study of children 7-9 years old, young participants showed improved word recognition, improved accuracy, and enhanced attention three hours after receiving an anthocyanin supplement.
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Protecting Vision and Eye Health
The role of anthocyanins in vision and eye health is well documented. Research shows that the anthocyanins in black currants stimulate the regeneration of rhodopsin, a protein receptor localized in your retina. Rhodopsin protects your vision by protecting your retina from overexposure to light. A study of 19 patients verified that black currant anthocyanins also improved visual function in patients living with normal-tension glaucoma, increasing blood flow without significant changes in intraocular pressure. Black currant anthocyanins are also shown to be beneficial for eye strain, cataracts, photophobia, and more.
Although VSC Vision Smart Supreme® is the first choice for adults for vision protection and eye health, parents are protecting their children’s vision with VSC Kids Vision Smart®. While protecting their vision and reducing the symptoms of eye fatigue, the anthocyanins in Kids Vision Smart® also boosts young immune systems, improves attention spans, and reduces the risk of childhood obesity.
Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing with a Potent Anthocyanin Supplement
Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants shown to provide numerous health and wellness benefits. Anthocyanins support your vision, fortify your immune system, protect your brain function, protect your skin from the signs of aging, and could even reduce your risk of cancer. When selecting an anthocyanin supplement, it’s important to know that each type of plant has a unique anthocyanin profile.
Vision Smart Center therapeutic supplements are enhanced with the potency of New Zealand black currants. New Zealand black currants are bred to have considerably higher levels of anthocyanins than any other fruit or berry anywhere in the world.
For anthocyanins-rich therapeutic supplements, visit Vision Smart Center. Our Vision Smart Supreme®supports heart, brain, and eye health with 210 mg of black currant anthocyanins with the added benefits of vitamin A, B6, B12, and folic acid. At Vision Smart Center, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based supplements to support your health and wellbeing.