The Health Benefits of Purple Foods

The Health Benefits of Purple Foods

May 26, 2017

Green is good, but purple is power!

Purple food - think red cabbage, eggplant, plums and berries - are not only the powerhouses of the plant world but some of the most delicious. These days, green leafy vegetables tend to hog the limelight (and with good reason), but don't forget about the wonderful health benefits of purple foods.

Every deliciously dark purple fruit and vegetable is packed with antioxidants. These are needed in the body to balance out oxidants, which cause damage to your cells if their numbers get too high. Oxidants are also called ‘free radicals’.

Purple and blue foods also contain resveratrol which contributes greatly to your arterial walls (cleansing your blood circulation) and a specific antioxidant called anthocyanin. The latter is responsible for all those vibrant colors and is now being identified as a key player in the health benefits associated with purple foods.   That’s all great, I hear you say, but what does it mean for me?

Why does it deserve my attention?

Why you need more purple foods is because atioxidants and all things purple have wide and far-reaching powers to maintain important body functions and protect us from some pretty major diseases. Here’s what antioxidants can do:

• Reduce the risk of high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol (the good kind),

• Help to prevent obesity and diabetes

• Lower the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases and cognitive declines

• Reduce inflammation and therefore chronic disease

• Assist in preventing urinary tract infections, fight ulcers, reduce liver damage and prevent other diseases contracted from cell damage

5 best purple foods to add to your diet

1. Purple carrots

These beautiful yummy looking carrots were normal carrots up until the 17th century, so they’re actually more normal than their orange counterparts! Very high in anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Purple cabbage

A striking flavor both raw and cooked, purple cabbage boosts the immune system, is rich in fiber and Vitamin K (important for healthy bones). It also contains probiotics, and can be used instead of the green type to make the tasty Korean dish, Kimchi. Try adding it to your salads (like this Asian slaw) or soups.

3. Purple potatoes

Apart from having a mesmerizing textured purple color, they help lower blood pressure, keep blood circulation healthy and can be used as a natural alternative to artificial dye.

4. Eggplant

Rich source of Vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium and more. Eggplant is often touted as one of the world’s healthiest foods, a pitch made stronger with the presence of anthocyanin. Just make sure you don’t throw out the skin – it’s the most nutritious part! Great in a curry.

5. Purple fruits

All deep red, blue or purple fruits are high in all the good stuff above so you really can’t go wrong. Add some juicy blueberries, strawberries and raspberries to your fruit salads or snack options, try plums for added digestive health and acai berries to slow down the ageing process