We all know the benefits of eating a range of colourful fruits and vegetables as part of a well-balanced diet, but did you know you can benefit more from foods with a vibrant purple hue? Anthocyanins may sound like a mouthful to pronounce, but a mouthful is what you’ll be needing if you want the benefits of one of the most powerful antioxidants found in fresh food!
This beneficial antioxidant is the plant pigment responsible for fruits and vegetables with rich red, blue or purple hues. Blueberries, blackberries, eggplant and purple carrots all contain anthocyanins as well as some crops you wouldn’t even associate with the colour purple, such as wheat and corn.
So, what’s so special about purple foods in particular and why should you incorporate them into your diet?
ANTHOCYANINS AND THEIR ROLE IN FOOD
Anthocyanins are a type of compound that gives certain foods their rich purple hue and antioxidant properties. The antioxidants found in foods with anthocyanins have been known to fight off free radicals, improve eyesight and the appearance of your skin, as well as boost memory and even provide natural anti-ageing benefits.
Along with fruits and vegetables, anthocyanins can also be found in plants and flowers – anything with the colour purple contains this unique and powerful antioxidant. While anthocyanins are responsible for giving foods a purple hue, they are also responsible for protecting the plant against extreme temperatures and environmental stressors such as cold stress, drought and UV light. For this reason, foods containing anthocyanins appear to have higher health benefits than those without and may even help prevent disease as well as inhibit cancer development.
Incorporating purple fruits & vegetables (or purple noodles!) at least 4-5 days a week will play an active role in promoting your cardiovascular, eye, skin and immune health. Antioxidants like anthocyanin can offer anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-cancer benefits with purple-rich foods able to help your body treat a number of chronic conditions and illnesses. Anthocyanins can help your body in several awesome ways:
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- Fight against free-radicals and prevent cancer
- Boost immunity
- Improve gut health and promote a healthy microbiome
- Prevent urinary tract infections, reduce liver disease, and fights ulcers
- Help improve memory and reduce dementia
- Improve eyesight
- Improve skin appearance; anti-ageing properties
- Reduce inflammation and chronic disease
Want to know the best part? Incorporating purple into your diet is easy, with many of your favourite food staples containing this disease-fighting, immunity-boosting super colour compound!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PURPLE CORN
Another popular food product most associated with the colour yellow, yet did you know purple corn has been around for thousands of years? In fact, purple corn is one of the most widely used and consumed food products in Peruvian cuisine as well as much of South America. The soil in these regions is just right for the powerful anthocyanin antioxidant to grow and form its deep purple colour. Actually, purple corn possesses one of the deepest purple shades found in the plant kingdom.
A study published in the ‘Journal of Nutrition’ found that a particular anthocyanin found in purple corn can fight obesity and diabetes as well as promote eye health, kidney health and lower blood pressure. These health benefits are one of the reasons why KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles contain whole purple corn flour.
What does that mean for the noodle obsessed? Well, our Purple Wheat Noodles are higher in wholegrains as well as antioxidants and therefore are tastier, healthier and guilt-free – leaving you feeling fuller and satisfied for longer!
NUTRITIONAL SUPERHEROES TO ADD TO YOUR DIET
The next time you visit your local market, make sure you stock up on the following purple foods to incorporate into your daily diet and get the benefits of anthocyanin:
Prunes
Prunes have one of the highest antioxidant values and are full of phenols, an added antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage. They also contain a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals including potassium, iron and retinol. These benefits can help improve eyesight, lower blood pressure, improve gut health and reduce constipation, improve bone health & density, and contribute to glowing skin and hair.
Healthy tip: Is your tummy congested from all the indulgent eating lately? Try adding prunes to your breakfast to keep your body feeling good and energised.
Prunes
Prunes have one of the highest antioxidant values and are full of phenols, an added antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage. They also contain a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals including potassium, iron and retinol. These benefits can help improve eyesight, lower blood pressure, improve gut health and reduce constipation, improve bone health & density, and contribute to glowing skin and hair.
Healthy tip: Is your tummy congested from all the indulgent eating lately? Try adding prunes to your breakfast to keep your body feeling good and energised.
Purple Carrots
Did you know, purple carrots are the natural state of your common orange carrot. As it happens, purple was the only kind of carrot available up until the 17th century! They are very high in anti-inflammatory properties as well as fibre and vitamin A, contributing to better heart health, reduced inflammation, weight loss and even reducing your risk of certain cancers.
Healthy tip: Try them freshly shaved as a salad before your main meal to get the extra benefits of fibre and nutrients.
Purple Carrots
Did you know, purple carrots are the natural state of your common orange carrot. As it happens, purple was the only kind of carrot available up until the 17th century! They are very high in anti-inflammatory properties as well as fibre and vitamin A, contributing to better heart health, reduced inflammation, weight loss and even reducing your risk of certain cancers.
Healthy tip: Try them freshly shaved as a salad before your main meal to get the extra benefits of fibre and nutrients.
Blueberries
Blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant values (but not as high as KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles!) and are the perfect on-the-go snack that you can also add to cereals, yoghurts or smoothies. Along with anthocyanin, blueberries are a healthy source of vitamin c and can help protect cells, aid iron absorption and also aid in gut health.
Healthy tip: Try an acai bowl with blueberries. Top with banana and sesame seeds for a boost of fun and flavour plus they’re packed with B vitamins and fibre.
Blueberries
Blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant values (but not as high as KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles!) and are the perfect on-the-go snack that you can also add to cereals, yoghurts or smoothies. Along with anthocyanin, blueberries are a healthy source of vitamin c and can help protect cells, aid iron absorption and also aid in gut health.
Healthy tip: Try an acai bowl with blueberries. Top with banana and sesame seeds for a boost of fun and flavour plus they’re packed with B vitamins and fibre.
Peking Cabbage
Peking cabbage is great for boosting the immune system to help fight against common illnesses like the cold & flu as well as diseases. It’s also high in vitamin k, which is important for healthy bones. Why not try adding raw or cooked purple cabbage to your KOKA noodles for double the anthocyanin benefit?!
Healthy tip: Peking cabbage leaves make a great wrap. Use them to make tacos with diced avocado, ground beef, onions, corn and cilantro. Healthy fats without carbohydrates, for the win!
Peking Cabbage
Peking cabbage is great for boosting the immune system to help fight against common illnesses like the cold & flu as well as diseases. It’s also high in vitamin k, which is important for healthy bones. Why not try adding raw or cooked purple cabbage to your KOKA noodles for double the anthocyanin benefit?!
Healthy tip: Peking cabbage leaves make a great wrap. Use them to make tacos with diced avocado, ground beef, onions, corn and cilantro. Healthy fats without carbohydrates, for the win!
Purple Potatoes
Aside from looking exotic – especially when made into homemade potato chips! – purple potatoes can help to lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation and also be used as an alternative to artificial food dye!
Healthy tip: Make crisp garlic purple potato fries by thinly slicing the potato and dry roasting until crunchy. Serve with aioli or your favourite spicy dip for a fun snack.
Purple Potatoes
Aside from looking exotic – especially when made into homemade potato chips! – purple potatoes can help to lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation and also be used as an alternative to artificial food dye!
Healthy tip: Make crisp garlic purple potato fries by thinly slicing the potato and dry roasting until crunchy. Serve with aioli or your favourite spicy dip for a fun snack.
KOKA PURPLE WHEAT NOODLES – PACKED WITH PURPLE POWER!
With 3 times more antioxidants than red grapes and a higher antioxidant content than blueberries, KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles are the obvious tasty choice when it comes to incorporating purple food into your diet. Keep your eye out on our homepage for the new ‘baked multigrain cup’ coming soon to the KOKA range – Singapore’s first Healthier Choice Cup Noodles made with vitamin-rich purple corn!